Megan Markle and Prince Harry to christen baby Archie in 'small private ceremony' at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace confirms

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will christen baby Archie this weekend at a private ceremony, Buckingham Palace confirmed today.

Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor will be baptised in a “small private ceremony” on Saturday by Justin Welby the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The couple have been accused of double standards by wanting to keep the christening private while accepting £2.4 million of public cash for renovations on their private home Frogmore Cottage.

However, they have decided to share some images taken on the day by photographer Chris Allerton who took their wedding photographs and other images of the couple with their baby.

First glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan's newborn son - In pictures

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Harry and Meghan have decided to keep the identities of Archie’s godparents private “in keeping with their wishes.”

It is understood they are private individuals and not public figures.

Harry and Megan shared a photo of Archie to mark Father's Day. 
Sussex Royal

Royal biographer Penny Junor said their decision to keep the christening private was a “terrible shame” and a “mistake”.

She said members of the public would want to share in Harry and Meghan's happiness at the baptising of their baby boy, which will be held exactly two months after he was born on May 6.

Ms Junor said: "We're not asking for Archie to become public property but to be able to share in the pleasure of his christening, I think it is only fair to give the public that pleasure.

"Because although Archie himself is not going to be a working member of the royal family, so far as we can tell he's going to be brought up as a normal child, that's fine but Harry is very much a part of the royal family as we've known it over the years.

"People love him and they're really happy for him - he's married Meghan and they've had the baby - and they want to share in the joy of that and I think this is a terrible shame and I think it's a mistake."

 Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and baby Prince George at his christening where photographers were allowed to capture pictures of them as well as family members and guests arriving.

In contrast, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge let photographers capture pictures of them and their children, plus family members and guests arriving, before holding private christening services.

Both Prince George and Prince Louis were christened at the Chapel Royal in London.

Princess Charlotte's ceremony was held at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, Norfolk, where the paddock outside the churchyard was opened to the public.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor will be christened in a small private ceremony by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday 6th July.

"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex look forward to sharing some images taken on the day by photographer Chris Allerton.

"The godparents, in keeping with their wishes, will remain private."

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