Fans won’t see Archie Harrison christened as Meghan and Harry ‘demand private baptism at Windsor Castle in front of just 25 guests’ – The Sun
ROYAL fans will not get to witness Archie Harrison’s christening next weekend after parents Meghan Markle and Prince Harry 'demanded a private baptism'.
Despite funding the couple's £40m wedding and the £2.4 million revamp of Frogmore cottage, taxpayers will be kept in the dark when it comes to the event.
The couple are determined to keep their son a “private citizen”, with sources confirming that they plan a media-free baptism.
Archie Harrison is set to be christened at the Queen's private chapel inside Windsor Castle away from the press and public.
Photographs will then be released afterwards to the media and through the couple's Instagram page and other social media channels.
The service will only be witnessed by around 25 guests, including Meghan and Harry's choice of godparents, the Daily Mail reports.
Royal author Penny Juror has criticised the couple's decision dubbing it as a "mistake" after they came under fire for spending £2.4 million of the public's money on doing up Frogmore Cottage, claiming they "can't have it both ways."
She told The Times: "They can't have it both ways. Either they are totally private, pay for their own house and disappear out of view or play the game the way it is played.
"Seeing Archie and his godparents arriving at the christening is what people are interested in."
TV’s Piers Morgan added: “This baptism should be public or the public should get their £2.4million back.”
And it seems that the public is in agreement, taking to Twitter to share their disappointment over the couple's decision.
One wrote: "Wrong move – if the Sussexes want Archie to be a 'private citizen' then they should have paid for their own house and disappear from public life altogether."
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The Sun Says
PRINCE Harry and Meghan want to have it both ways.
They spend £2.4million of public money on doing up their new home, which they justify by pointing to their royal duties.
Then the couple turn around and break with years of precedent, declaring that baby Archie — seventh in line to the throne — must be christened behind closed doors.
So which is it? Are they public servants whose every expense, such as a £5,000 copper bath, should be funded by the taxpayer? Or are they private citizens who can dodge scrutiny?
It’s time to choose — or they risk losing the public’s goodwill.
Agreeing another tweeted: "All this 'we want privacy but happy to be funded by taxpayers' is doing my head in!"
A third tweeted the palace directly asking: "Please explain why the public are paying tax to the Sussexes to continue dictating a private life at our expense?
"If they want a private life we shouldn't be paying for them."
It is certainly a break from royal tradition with Prince William and Kate Middleton inviting the media to the christening of all three of their children, keeping only the ceremony itself private.
Archie – who was born on May 6 – will be two months old when he's doused from the lily font with water from the River Jordan.
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall are said to be leading the party, alongside Kate Middleton and Prince William.
But there's one important person who won't be there – the Queen. Prior commitments mean she'll have to give it a miss.
This isn't the first time the Queen has skipped a great-grandchild's baptism.
While she attended Prince George and Princess Charlotte's christenings, she wasn't able to attend Prince Louis' last year.
Archie's baptism is thought to be following in royal tradition, with the tot wearing a replica of the Honiton lace gown.
The original piece was commissioned by Queen Victoria for the christening of her first child Princess Victoria in 1841.
It was worn by 62 royal babies – including Harry and William, 36 – but a replica was made after the Queen decided it had become too fragile.
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The service is expected to be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, the Rev David Conner and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Harry, 34, Meghan, 37, and two-month-old Archie are expected to be joined by celebs including Elton John at the event.
Rumoured godparents include Serena Williams Meghan's best friend Jessica Mulroney, American designer Misha Nonoo and Harry's school friends Alexander Gilkes and Jake Warren.
In other royal news, we revealed that Meghan and Harry have splashed out up to £5,000 on a copper bath for Frogmore Cottage.
And a royalist claims that Harry and Meghan have "shot themselves in the foot" with their Frogmore refurbishment.
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