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With fewer than 25 guests and a complete media blackout in force, the christening of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first child is the exclusive royal event of the year.
So exclusive in fact, that his great-grandmother will be unable to attend due to an unfortuante clash with a “non-negotiable” event in her diary.
The private christening was booked during the Queen’s annual visit to Scotland for Holyrood week, when she decamps to Holyrood House for a series of engagements across Scotland.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex initially booked the event for Friday but found Prince Charles and the Queen would be unable to make it, according to Daily Mail royal reporter Rebecca English. It was moved to Saturday so Prince Harry’s father could be there, however the Queen’s iron-clad commitment meant she would have to miss it.
While the Queen was also unable to attend Prince Louis’ christening last year, royal sources told the Daily Mail there is a feeling Prince Harry and Meghan could have been more “accommodating”.
“There is huge support for the couple in not wanting to conform to tradition. They are young, they are striking out on a different path from other members of the Royal Family and there is enormous goodwill for them. But they shouldn’t do that without regard for tradition,” one said.
The private ceremony will be held at Windsor Castle on Saturday and conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Reverend Justin Welby, who married the couple in May last year. He also conducted the christening of Prince Louis.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have said they will keep the names of godparents private out of respect for their wishes. Just 25 guests are set to attend the event, including Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland and Prince Charles. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are also likely to be guests despite reports of a feud between the royal houses. Serena Williams has confirmed she will not be there as she is “working” at Wimbledon on Saturday.
More: Surprise choice for Archie’s godparents
Meghan Markle was spotted courtside on Thursday with university friends Lindsay Roth and Genevieve Hillis prompting speculation they will be at the event. Other potential guests include Amal and George Clooney, after Amal organised Meghan’s New York baby shower.
One person who won’t be attending is Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, after a well-publicised family meltdown in the lead up to her wedding last year.
Last month the 74-year-old said he had no plans to travel to London. and didn’t know if he would be invited to the event.
“I can’t say if Meghan is going to say, ‘OK, enough is enough and, yes, I want my family back in my life,’” he said.
The couple have sparked criticism with their demands to keep aspects of Archie’s life private, as it comes in the wake of a $4 million taxpayer funded renovation of their Frogmore cottage home.
Royal author Penny Junor told the Sunday Times Meghan and Harry “can’t have it both ways. Either they are totally private and pay for their own house and disappear out of view. Or play the game the way it is played”
More: Big problem with royal christening plans
Broadcaster Piers Morgan also said they need to “stop playing these dumb cake-and-eat-it games with the media/public.”
“If you want your home costs paid by the taxpayer, you reveal this kind of info. That’s the deal,” he tweeted.
Royal author Phil Dampier questioned the wisdom of the calls for privacy, saying it was “childish and naive”.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if at some point the Queen or Prince Charles has a chat with them about it over cup of tea. What makes them so different from every other royal who is happy to let these details be known?” he told Mail Online.
The Duchess of Sussex is still officially on maternity leave and has only made a handful of appearances since the birth of Archie Harrison, including at Trooping the Colour for the Queen’s birthday and at a major league baseball game in London.
Prince Harry mentioned his newborn son in a touching speech at the Diana Award National Youth Mentoring Summit earlier this week, saying he was struck by the impact role models can have in people’s lives.
“Perhaps it’s the newfound clarity I have as a father knowing that my son will always be watching what I do, mimicking my behaviour, one day maybe even following in my footsteps.
But it’s not just my role as a father that shows me that; it’s in the people I see every day that don’t realise how inspirational they are to those watching,” he said.
Catch up on all the latest royal news here.
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