Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have indicated that they are still considering whether their daughter Lilibet will be christened in Britain or America, after royal sources claimed the duke and duchess were likely to opt for an Episcopal ceremony in California instead.
Insiders had insisted that Lilibet’s christening at Windsor Castle was ‘highly unlikely’ and that the Sussexes were planning to have their four-month-old – born in Santa Barbara on June 4 and named after the Queen – baptised at the Episcopal Church of the US.
The claims, first made to the Telegraph, raised questions about whether the Queen, now 95, would ever get to meet her great-granddaughter in person. It had previously been suggested that Harry and Meghan – who dramatically quit their roles as working royals last year to become financially independent – would christen Lilibet Diana at Windsor Castle in front of the monarch.
However, the duke and duchess indicated today that they are still deciding where their daughter will be christened – meaning that Lilibet could be confirmed into the Church of England if she is baptised in the UK. A spokeswoman for the Sussexes told the Telegraph that the plans for the christening were still being finalised and that claims to the contrary were ‘mere speculation’.
If the couple decide to stay in California, it is thought they would opt for a service at the Episcopal Church of the US, a member church of the worldwide Anglican Communion run by Bishop Michael Curry who became an internet sensation after he delivered a 14-minute sermon at the couple’s wedding at St George’s Chapel in 2018.
Conducting the ceremony in the United States will mean that Lilibet will not be considered a ‘member’ of the Church of England automatically. However, the young royal could later join a Church of England congregation if she came to the UK.
Though Meghan – a multi-millionaire former actress who lives with her husband and children in a $14million LA mansion – attended a Catholic high school, she was baptised and confirmed into the CoE in a private ceremony conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed that they were expecting their second child on February 14 this year
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have indicated they are still considering whether their daughter Lilibet will be christened in the UK (pictured with the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland during Archie’s christening)
Insiders had insisted that Lilibet’s christening at Windsor Castle was ‘highly unlikely’ and that the Sussexes were planning to have their four-month-old baptised at the Episcopal Church of the US
The intimate 45-minute service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Chapel Royal in 2018 and was a closely-guarded secret with only a handful of royal aides involved.
Meghan followed partly in the footsteps of Kate, who was baptised as an infant but had a private confirmation after her engagement to William.
The service observed the full ritual of the Church with holy water from the River Jordan from the private Royal Family font poured on Meghan’s head.
Lilibet’s brother Archie was also christened by the Archbishop amid unprecedented secrecy at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, in 2019.
At the time of Archie’s christening the Sussexes said they ‘felt fortunate’ to have enjoyed their son’s christening with his godparents and shared two pictures from the big day.
A few hours after the ceremony, Meghan and Prince Harry released an official image in which they posed alongside the Duchess of Cornwall, The Prince of Wales, Doria Ragland, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.
Just 25 guests were present at the baptism, which saw Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor christened in a private chapel at Windsor Castle, but the couple only released photographs celebrating with their immediate family.
As well as including Diana’s sisters in the snap, the proud parents also paid tribute to Archie’s grandmother by sitting on the same green chair with gold detailing that Diana and the Queen sat on for Harry’s official christening photographs.
Prior to the ceremony a Buckingham Palace spokesperson 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 July 6. The godparents, in keeping with their wishes, will remain private.’
Although details of royal babies’ godparents have always been made public in the past, Harry and Meghan refused to confirm any names for Archie.
Godparents of royal babies are traditionally announced beforehand – often on the morning of the christening – and conventionally elderly or foreign relatives are selected.
The couple went on to face significant backlash over their insistence that the 25-person ceremony would remain private and the identities of Archie’s godparents would not be revealed at the time.
The Dean of Chelmsford, Nicholas Henshall, told the BBC: ‘Baptism should never be private. It’s a public demonstration of God’s love.’
While Professor Adrian Hilton, political philosophy lecturer at the University of Surrey, commented: ‘Details of the godparents will be kept private.
‘This is inappropriate. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are in receipt of the ‘Sovereign Grant’: their son isn’t a ‘private citizen’; his godparents are a matter of public interest, having responsibility for his spiritual wellbeing.’
Under the Parochial Registers and Records Measure 1978, all Church of England baptisms are a matter of public record, including the godparents and officiating minister. Anyone willing to pay the required fee can look up the details.
In August, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliam told the Express the couple will ‘do things their own way’ with their daughter Lilibet.
The claims, first made to the Telegraph, raised questions about whether the Queen, now 95, would ever get to meet her great-granddaughter in person
This official christening photograph released by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex showed the Duke and Duchess with their son, Archie and (left to right) the Duchess of Cornwall, The Prince of Wales, Ms Doria Ragland, Princess Diana’s sisters Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duchess of Cambridge in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle
A second shot in black-and-white showed Meghan dressed in white gazing into Harry’s eyes as she cradled baby Archie. Windsor castle’s Rose Garden could be seen in the background
He said: ‘It seems certain that her christening will be in Meghan’s home state and with the secrecy but without the controversy that surrounded Archie’s christening.’
The couple have never released an image of their daughter to the public, with royal commentator Richard saying the decision shows the Duke and Duchess are acting on their own terms.
The latest claims come after it was revealed that Prince Harry was not expected to return to Britain next week to join his brother Prince William at a party to honour their mother.
The party had originally been planned for July 1, when the brothers unveiled a statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, on what would have been her 60th birthday.
Prince Harry flew back for the unveiling without wife Meghan, who had given birth to the couple’s second child, Lilibet.
Due to coronavirus restrictions, the plans were scaled back, with just the Princes, their uncle Earl Spencer and aunts Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes present.
Harry was due to attend the rescheduled party for 100 guests, believed to include Sir Elton John, on October 19, although it is unclear if Meghan would have accompanied him.
However sources this week said it was not expected he would return for this.
Since attending the statue’s unveiling, Harry has announced he is writing his memoirs. They are due for release next year, when the Queen will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee to mark 70 years on the throne.
In February a spokesperson for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry confirmed the couple were expecting a second child together.
The couple shared their announcement – aptly on Valentine’s Day – by posting a black and white image of Harry resting his hand on Meghan’s head as she lay in his lap underneath a tree.
‘The photograph of the Duke and Duchess was was taken by the couple’s longtime friend Misan Harriman. What wonderful news for the Sussexes!!’ their spokesperson added.
Lilibet – whose middle name is Diana – was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in June.
It is understood the Queen was informed by Prince Harry that her great grandchild would be named in her honour, ahead of their official announcement which was made on their official website.
However, Buckingham Palace appeared to be caught off guard by the timing of the Sussexes’ news with a spokesman for the palace congratulating the couple 90 minutes after the announcement broke.
Omid Scobie, a journalist favoured by Harry and Meghan, later tweeted that the couple would ‘not be sharing a photograph at this time’ of Lilibet and that they were now on ‘parental leave’.
He said the couple’s office was encouraging anyone who wanted to send gifts to support organisations working for women and girls.
The name Lilibet was coined by the Queen and used by her younger sister Margaret and their parents. George VI once said: ‘Lilibet is my pride. Margaret is my joy.’
Lilibet arrived six days before what would have been the Duke of Edinburgh’s 100th birthday.
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