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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Lilibet's christening: Everything we know as Meghan Markle and Harry plan baptism

Royal fans are patiently waiting for news of Lilibet Diana's christening - and if we will see Prince Harry and Meghan Markle return to the UK.

The couple have been said to be desperate to hold the service for their daughter in Windsor and this time, they wanted the Queen there too.

Lilibet Diana, affectionately known as Lili and who is named after the Queen and after Harry's mum Diana, was born in a hospital in Santa Barbara, California in June.

But with no date yet set, speculation is mounting that - with travel still problematic - they may just decide to do it in America.

"The Sussexes were emphatic that they intended to do things their own way," one source said - and time is ticking.

Meghan and Harry are expected to do things "their way" when it comes to their daughter's christening (Getty Images)

Whatever happens, a closed-door christening is almost a certainty and some are speculating that we may not even know it's happening.

The Sussexes still haven't offered even a glimpse of what their daughter looks like, and the chances of a Windsor return seem to be lessening as the days rumble on.

Here's all we know so far about Lilibet's big day.

When will Lilibet be christened?

But the couple have still not confirmed a date (Getty Images)

No date has yet been set, but speculation is naturally swirling.

The Sussex's son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was baptised in front of close family and friends in the private chapel at Windsor Castle in July 2019.

He was two months old when the service was held.

Lilibet is already older than Archie was when he was christened - so it is understandable that the couple are keen to confirm a date.

Where will it happen?

The Duke and Duchess were very keen to travel to Windsor (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

As of last month, Harry and Meghan were said to be planning for Lilibet to be christened at Windsor in front of the Queen.

The Duke of Sussex made his ‘intentions clear’ and saw a return to the UK as a wonderful opportunity to build some bridges.

"Harry told people that they want to have Lili christened at Windsor, just like her brother," a royal source said. "They are happy to wait until circumstances allow."

But a month on, the silence has brought about speculation that the couple may need to make other plans.

Could it be held in the US?

Meghan and Prince Harry may have little choice but to hold the service in the US (Getty Images)

According to one top royal commentator, that is looking increasingly likely.

Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk that there is a high possibility that she will be christened in California - and not the UK as they first hoped.

He said: "It must be likely that she will be christened in California though there were rumours of a possible christening at Windsor."

"Harry and Meghan’s relations with the British press went badly downhill when Archie was christened in private and the names of the godparents were not released."

Will the Queen attend?

The head monarch does not always attend celebrations for those low in the line for the throne (Popperfoto/Getty Images)

Prince Harry is reportedly desperate for his grandmother to be there this time.

A prior engagement meant the Queen was forced to miss Archie's c hristening two years ago.

But royal experts say it puts her in a difficult position as the head monarch would not always attend celebrations for those low in the line for the throne.

The Queen was not present at Louis', the third child of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

What about royal tradition?

Royal children are often christened when they are young babies (PA Archive/PA Images)

If the couple are to stick with tradition, Lilibet is likely to be christened within the next few weeks.

While there is no specified minimum or maximum age to have a royal child christened, many services happen within three months of the birth.

Children of the royal family are christened following the Holy Baptism of the Church of England, of which the Queen is the Supreme Governor.

Where did Archie's Christening take place?

Archie was christened in a very private service (Getty Images)

Archie was christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury in a private ceremony on July 6 2019.

He was two months old when the service took place in the private chapel at Windsor Castle.

The whole day was very hush-hush - the Duke and Duchess exclude the press and chose not to reveal the names of Archie's godparents.

The event came six months before the couple stepped down as working members of the royal family to start a new life in America.

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