The event took place at the Private Chapel in Windsor Castle, the same castle where Prince Harry and Meghan wed on 19 May 2018. According to Buckingham Palace, the royal's christening was a small affair, attended by fewer than 25 people, and the names of his godparents will remain private as per the royal couple’s wishes.
On Saturday afternoon, the palace released two photographs taken by Chris Allerton from the occasion. One image showed just the royal couple and their son while the other was a group shot featuring several members of the royal family. The former was taken in the Rose Garden at Windsor Castle while the latter was taken in the Green Drawing Room.
On Saturday 6 July, members of the royal family will gather for a small ceremony in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Archie Harrison's baptism comes exactly two months since he was born at the private Portland Hospital in Westminster.
His arrival was announced on Prince Harry and Meghan’s recently launched Instagram account.
"We are pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their firstborn child in the early morning on May 6th, 2019," the statement read.
In the announcement, it was confirmed that the christening is due to take place on Saturday 6 July in a small ceremony held in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle.
"The godparents, in keeping with their wishes, will remain private," the statement read.
Speculation has been rife as to who will be named the godparents of Meghan and Prince Harry's son Archie Harrison, with contenders including media mogul Oprah Winfrey, fashion stylist Jessica Mulroney and Hollywood actor George Clooney.
The christening will the first time the world will see Archie Harrison since his photocall on 8 May.
To mark Mother’s Day in the US, the Duchess of Sussex posed for a photograph with her son for a photograph shared on her and the Duke of Sussex’s official Instagram account.
“Paying tribute to all mothers today - past, present, mothers-to-be, and those lost but forever remembered. We honour and celebrate each and every one of you,” an excerpt of the photo’s caption read.
The post concluded with a poem by Nayyirah Waheed, published in her 2013 collection, salt.
In the photo, Meghan held her newborn son’s feet in her hands in front of a background of purple forget-me-nots, one of late Princess Diana’s favourite flowers.
Today is the day. Given that the christening is a private event, it's not clear what time the celebrations will begin.
On Wednesday, a statement was released by Buckingham Palace that revealed the christening would be held in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday.
That's about all we know so far. Watch this space.
Archie is expected to wear the traditional cream royal christening gown for the event, an ensemble worn by his cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at their christenings.The Duchess of Cambridge carrying Prince George at his christening in October 2013
The intricate lace and satin gown was created by Angela Kelly, the Queen's dressmaker, and is a replica of one made for Queen Victoria in 1841.
Duke and Duchess of Sussex accused of 'trying to draw a line in the sand'
Harry and Meghan have been criticised by a royal biographer for choosing to keep Archie's christening private.
Duncan Larcombe, author of Prince Harry - The Inside Story, has described the couple's decision as "disappointing", telling Sky News: "It seems like there is a pettiness and a truculence since [Prince Harry] got married, since perhaps news of their relationship became public, I think you can trace it back to then - the sort of petulance that, over a longer period of time, could do him a lot of harm."
The author's comments come after Buckingham Palace confirmed that Archie's christening would be a "small private ceremony", with fewer than 25 people expected to attend.
Serena Williams will not be attending christening, tennis champion confirms
Serena Williams might be close friends with the Duchess of Sussex, but the tennis champion has revealed she will not be attending Archie's christening on Saturday.
During a press conference at Wimbledon, a reporter asked Williams whether or not Meghan had asked her to be a godparent and if she would be present at the ceremony.
"No, I'm working on Saturday," the 37-year-old responded. "[Meghan] understands work".
While the royal couple have vowed to keep the identities of their chosen godparents a secret, it's likely Archie will have more than the standard three.
Royal babies usually have more godparents than most. Prince Louis, for example, has six, Princess Charlotte has five and Prince George has a whopping seven.
Naturally, speculations are rife as to who Meghan and Harry have chosen, and major A-list names in the mix include Oprah Winfrey, George and Amal Clooney and Serena Williams, all of whom attended the couple's wedding in May last year.
Royal commentator says decision for couple to keep christening private 'seems fair'
The decision to keep the royal baby's christening private has irked some members of the British public, who argue that, as a member of the royal family, they are owed information regarding his christening, such as who his godparents are.
However, Buckingham Palace revealed that the identities of Archie's godparents would be kept secret.
But despite criticisms, royal commentator Omid Scobie tells The Independent that this is no bad thing.
"Ultimately this is a private christening for a citizen who will remain private until he is in a position to choose for himself," he said.
"Until then, his parents — who are both public figures — will continue to share their own two lives with the world. Seems fair to me."
Professor Chris Imafidon, who is a member of the Royal Historical Society, has described Archie's christening as a "fascinating" and "great" thing, telling Press Association he understands why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex might've wanted to keep the ceremony private.
"A christening is a public event, but every mother wants to protect their baby especially because of the shadow looming over them," he said, speaking from outside Windsor Castle.
Imafidon added: "What's fascinating is that this is the first baby that can be a king, potentially an American president, an African president. No baby is like this baby. He embodies all different countries."
Meghan Markle spotted at Wimbledon days before christening
Meghan smiled as she watched close friend Serena Williams play against Slovakia's Kaja Juvan
The Duchess of Sussex was spotted at Wimbledon on Thursday, two days ahead of Archie's christening.
Meghan appeared to pay tribute to her newborn son by wearing a special necklace with a small "A" charm hanging at the centre, in an apparent nod to her two-month-old son.
Meghan donned a casual look for the fourth day of the tennis tournament, wearing a white striped L'Agence blazer, a black Lavender Hill top, a pair of Finlay and Co sunglasses and a pair of jeans.
A spokesperson for the Church of England clarified to The Independent: “Under the Parochial Registers and Records Measure 1978 all baptisms must be registered and the record made is normally publicly available for searches and for the making of certified copies of entries."
Read more below about whether or not the couple's decision actually goes against the law or not.
First photographs of Archie at christening expected soon
While Prince Harry and Meghan have decided to keep the details surrounding the christening private, it's thought that the couple will release photographs taken by Chis Allerton at the ceremony this afternoon.
Allerton was the photographer responsible for the candid black and white photograph of the royal couple standing arm in arm on their wedding night. The image was used on their Christmas card.
While Meghan has kept a low profile since giving birth, despite a recent appearance the the 2019 Wimbledon Championships, she has spoken openly about her desire to become a mother on several occasions in the past.
On the day of Archie's christening, here is one of our favourite soundbites so far:
"It's magic, it's pretty amazing," the new mum said while caressing her son's head as he lay in Prince Harry's arms in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle during Archie's first photo call.
"I have the two best guys in the world so I'm really happy," she added.
Royal fan describes couple's decision to keep christening private as 'a bit sad'
Megan Waters, 46, spent Saturday morning waiting outside Windsor Castle to catch a glimpse of Archie at his christening, but the Australia-born royalist has expressed disappointment at the couple's decision to keep the christening private.
"It's a bit sad that they've broken the tradition of it being public," she told PA.
"They've got a right to privacy I suppose but it's a shame that it's broken the tradition. No-one has seen a photo of the baby yet."
Social media users praise couple's decision to keep christening private
As Harry and Meghan have decided to keep the christening of their son, Archie, a private affair, a few social media users have complained that the couple owe it to the British public to share the special day with them.
However, many praised the duo for doing things differently by keeping Archie out of the public eye.
"I’m so happy for them," wrote one person, pointing to how Meghan has been criticised in the press before. "I don’t blame them one bit that they’ve asked for their privacy to be respected," they said of the couple's choice.
Another person said they didn't blame the godparents for choosing to remain anonymous either, writing: "the press would make their lives miserable".
Buckingham Palace reveals further details about christening
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to share the happiness of this day, and would like to thank everyone around the world for their ongoing support.
"They feel so fortunate to have enjoyed this special moment with family and Archie’s godparents.”
