Prince Harry has been blasted for ‘acting like an A-lister’ and ‘having his cake and eating it’ over baby Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor’s secretive christening.
It comes as rumours have surfaced that his former ‘wingman’ Charlie van Straubenzee is thought to be among one of the mystery godparents – as members of the public and royal fans alike continue to yield guesses as to who will be most involved in the life of the newest royal baby.
Both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they ‘felt fortunate’ to have enjoyed their son’s christening with his godparents and shared two pictures from the big day – but still haven’t revealed who the chosen family and friends were.
However, sources have now told The Times that van Straubenzee, a close friend of Harry’s, and who even gave a teasing speech at the Sussexes’ wedding, where he mocked the royal for being a ‘ginger’, is one of of the godparents to Harry and Meghan’s two-month old son.
Harry and Charlie’s close friendship was formed when the pair attended Ludgrove Prep School in Berkshire.
The friends have been pictured together in the past attending events such as the Rugby World Cup in 2015, where they watched England play Australia.
Sources close to the couple also speculated that Izzy May, a former publicist for Soho House, is a godparent and friends in the circle also said they would be surprised if Markus Anderson, a Canadian-born Soho House director, had not been made a godfather.
This is while Prince Harry’s former nanny Tiggy Legge Bourke was spotted among the 25 guests at the private event in Windsor, sparking speculation she could also be one of Archie’s godparents.
A black-and-white shot shows Meghan dressed in white gazing into Harry’s eyes as she cradles baby Archie and her proud husband looks at their baby son. Windsor castle’s Rose Garden can be seen in the background
Sources have now revealed that Charlie van Straubenzee (pictured above in 2018 during his wedding to Daisy Jenks) is one of the god parents to baby Archie
Prince Harry’s former nanny Tiggy Legge Bourke was among the 25 guests at the private event in Windsor yesterday, sparking speculation she could be one of Archie’s godparents
Soho House director Markus Anderson and Izzy May (right) have also been named as possible godparents to baby Archie (left with parents Harry and Meghan)
This official christening photograph released by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shows 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
Hours after the top secret service took place in Windsor yesterday, they released pictures in order to ‘share the joy’ of the special occasion.
The royal couple shared two snaps from the event with their near 9 million followers, posting that they felt ‘so happy to share the joy of this day with members of the public’ and thanking supporters for their kindness.
But many royal fans felt the couple hadn’t shared the joy with members of the public and some slammed the couple for picking and choosing when they wanted to be royals, as it had previously surfaced that the couple had been more than happy to use £2.4 million of tax payer funds to pay for renovations at their Frogmore property.
One woman, who had travelled to Windsor from Wales in the hope of seeing the family yesterday said she was ‘very hurt’ after they once again broke from tradition, leaving members of the public in the dark over the celebrations.
Anne Daley, 63, said: ‘I pay a lot of tax for their civil duties. One minute they want to be royals, the next they don’t. We should be able to see the christening.’
She added: ‘They want to have their cake and eat it. The general public can’t work this out. A lot of people don’t like to see them hang around the fake celebrities. Forget Hollywood. They are royal.’
Many royal fans had become used to the open nature that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have embarked on with their family and may have expected the same from Harry and Meghan.
At the christenings of George, Charlotte and Louis, Kate and William shared the hymns sung, the lessons read and the godparents.
They even went one step further for Charlotte’s christening at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, inviting members of the public to a paddock outside the churchyard as they welcomed well-wishers.
Prince William and Kate Middleton were seen discreetly arriving at the rear entrance of Windsor Castle ahead of the occasion
A few hours after the ceremony, Meghan and 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, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duchess of Cambridge in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.
Baby Archie wore a gown based on an 1841 version for Queen Victoria’s first child
At his christening today baby Archie wore a Honiton lace and white satin gown modelled on the version first used for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter.
Made in 1841, the gown was worn by the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry before it was taken out of use after Lady Louise Windsor’s baptism in 2004.
Prince George pictured wearing the same gown in October 2013
A replica was then made by the Queen’s dresser Angela Kelly, that Prince Archie will use today.
It has previously been worn by his cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
And it was first used in 2008 for the christening of James, Viscount of Severn.
In a touching tribute to Harry’s mother, Princess Diana’s sisters Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale were prominent in the official picture.
In the second image, which was black and white, Meghan was seen gazing into Harry’s eyes as the proud father looked down at Archie, while placing a hand on his wife’s arm.
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.
Sharing the snaps with their near 9 million followers on the Sussex Royal Instagram, the happy couple wrote that they’d loved celebrating the day with the godparents of Archie – despite refusing to name them.
Alongside the two pictures from the event, which only featured close family members, they wrote: ‘This morning, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was christened in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle at an intimate service officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are so happy to share the joy of this day with members of the public who have been incredibly supportive since the birth of their son. They thank you for your kindness in welcoming their first born and celebrating this special moment.
‘Their Royal Highnesses feel fortunate to have enjoyed this day with family and the godparents of Archie.
The post shared on the Sussexroyal account went on: ‘Their son, Archie, was baptised wearing the handmade replica of the royal christening gown which has been worn by royal infants for the last 11 years.
‘The original Royal Christening Robe, made of fine Honiton lace lined with white satin, was commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1841 and first worn by her eldest daughter.
‘It was subsequently worn for generations of Royal christenings, including The Queen, her children and her grandchildren until 2004, when The Queen commissioned this handmade replica, in order for the fragile historic outfit to be preserved, and for the tradition to continue.’
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson also said: ‘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.’
Godparents of royal babies are traditionally announced beforehand – often on the morning of the christening – and conventionally elderly or foreign relatives were selected.
The appearance of Lady Fellowes and Lady McCorquodale in the family photo may fuel speculation Harry chose someone from his late mother’s family for the spiritual role.
Prince Harry and Meghan paid tribute to Archie’s grandmother Diana today by sitting on the same green and gold seat that was used for Harry’s christening pictures. Pictured is Princess Diana with baby Harry on a single seat from the same set
But Harry and Meghan appear likely have followed in the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s footsteps and opt for mostly friends over family.
Is that a hint of ginger hair? Royal fans are divided over whether Archie looks like his dad or takes after mum Meghan
Royal fans have reacted with joy after seeing the official photographs from Archie’s christening, but are divided over whether he looks more like his mother or his father.
Many believe they can detect a hint of ginger hair on Archie’s head, but others are convinced the two-month-old looks more like Meghan.
One member of the public said it ‘looks like Archie is a ginger’ reacting to the snap while another said he looks just like Prince Harry.
More fans commented on his hair, with one saying he is ‘little ginger Archie’, while another said on Instagram ‘he has red hair, I can see it!’
Many Royal fans said that it ‘looks like Archie is a ginger’ after his proud parents released photos of his christening today
Royal fans online have been debating whether baby Archie looks more like father Prince Harry (left) or mother Meghan Markle (right)
A third said he looked ‘mischievous’ and ‘just like his daddy’ in the family photo. Others, however, were quick to point out the resemblance to his mother.
‘He looks just like his momma’ said one while another tuned in saying the young prince looked like a ‘handsome’ boy.
Another fan said on Instagram: ‘He’s such a cutie!!! Looks a lot like Meghan too!!’
Taking to Instagram, fans cooed over the two-month-old saying he looked ‘very beautiful’ and ‘too cute’.
The photos mark the first time the public has got a clear view of Archie’s face.
Princess Diana’s sisters Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale stood proudly alongside Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland and Prince Charles.
Senior royals including Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton were also among the 25 guests at the intimate ceremony today.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge later shared the official picture from the christening on their kensingtonroyal Instagram account.
In the caption to the picture, which has since received 758,000 likes, it was explained that the snap was taken in the Green Drawing Room by Chris Allerton after Archie’s christening today.
The Duchess of Sussex wore a stunning white Dior gown, while The Duchess of Cambridge opted for a pink Stella McCartney dress and matching hairband for the christening.
In another touching nod to Princess Diana, Kate was also thought to be wearing the same Collingwood Pearl Earrings, that her mother-in-law wore to Prince Harry’s Christening in 1984.
In one picture shared on social media today, Meghan and Harry can be seen cuddling baby Archie in the grounds of Windsor Castle, with the rose garden in the background.
In the highly stylized black and white picture, the Duchess can be seen gazing at her husband while he looks down at their son.
The couple have been criticised for posting such images, with some suggesting fans could be left ‘jaded’ if they continue to release such pictures.
Fashion photographer Chris Allerton, who shot the wedding photographs of Harry and Meghan, said he was ‘honoured to take the official photographs at the christening’ and to ‘once again, be part of such a special and joyous occasion’.
The service took place in a tiny chapel inside Windsor Castle, with many of the guests arriving discreetly by a back entrance to the grounds.
A handful of royals fans gathered in Windsor for the event yesterday and, though excited, some suggested they have been left ‘disappointed’ that the public will not get to see any of the private ceremony or find out who has been chosen as godparents.
Mystery surrounded the private event, with the royal couple refusing to allow media into the event, and using a royal loophole to avoid telling public who had been chosen as godparents.
Several experts suggested it was a disappointing move, and would upset those who loved the couple the most.
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, suggested Prince Harry, 34, and Meghan Markle, 37, had ‘really upset the people who loved them the most’ with the move, telling the Daily Express they had ‘misinterpreted the whole situation’.
Seward went on to reveal: ‘The secrecy and evasiveness of the whole situation has been so mismanaged. It’s a real shame.’
Archie, who was born in May, wore the handmade replica of the royal christening robe, made by the Queen’s dressmaker Angela Kelly, during the ceremony.
The Lily Font, commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for the baptism of their first child Victoria, Princess Royal, in 1841, was used, as was water from the River Jordan.
The couple once again turned to fashion photographer Chris Allerton, who took their wedding photographs, to capture the moment.
Mr Allerton was set to take the official christening photos in Windsor Castle’s green drawing room and the pictures will be released later, Buckingham Palace said.
The date for Archie’s christening had to be pushed back by two days, after his parents discovered that both the Queen and Prince Charles had prior engagements on the first date.
While the Queen has bowed out graciously in order to spend a long planned weekend with Prince Philip in Sandringham, after a family conference it was decided that the date should be moved to accommodate Prince Charles.
He was away in Wales on the previously planned date to celebrate 50 years of him being Prince of the country.
Although her majesty has not been able to attend all of her great-grandchildren’s christenings, having missed Prince Louis’s baptism last year, it is understood that she would have like to be present for Prince Harry’s big celebration with his first child.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly shunned celebrities as godparents, instead turning to a close group of friends who played a key role at their wedding.
It has emerged in recent days that the couple are using a royal loophole to ensure baby Archie’s godparents remain a secret.
Under Church of England rules, the details of all baptisms, including the baby’s godparents, are a matter of public record and can be obtained easily for a small fee.
Royal sources have said that Meghan and Harry picked ‘close and old friends’ for the roles amid a backlash over the royal couple’s refusal to identify them because they are ‘private citizens’.
Harry’s touching tribute to his mother as Princess Diana’s sisters stand alongside royal family in Archie’s christening photos
Meghan and Harry have made a touching tribute to Princess Diana by including her sisters in the official royal christening photographs.
Prince Harry’s aunts Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale stand proudly at forefront of picture, alongside Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland and Prince Charles.
Princess Diana’s older sister Lady Jane Fellowes was one of the first to meet baby Archie, ahead of Prince Charles and Prince William, giving yet another indication of Harry’s dedication to his mother’s side of the family.
The royal couple have finally released photographs after the top secret christening today, although have still not revealed who the godparents of baby Archie are.
Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale were at forefront of picture in a touching tribute to Princess Harry’s late mother
Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale can be seen beaming as they stand directly behind Harry and Meghan in the family photograph.
According to The Telegraph, Lady Jane, 62, was one of the first to drop in to meet Baby Sussex, ahead of senior royals including Prince Charles, Camilla and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Prince Harry has made clear that Diana has been on his mind since the birth of his son, and poignantly included her family in Archie’s official birth announcement.
Prince Harry has remained particularly close to Princess Diana’s family since her death, and invited Lady Jane to give a reading at the royal wedding last May.
And he made sure that Diana’s sisters had met Meghan ahead of their engagement, with the Duchess of Sussex confirming how special they are to Harry in their engagement interview in November 2017.
At the time, she mentioned how important she found meeting Harry’s aunt, as well as Princess Diana’s close friend Julia Fellowes.
Meghan said: ‘I think in being able to meet his aunts, I’m able to, in some way, know a part of her through them and of course through him. And it’s – it’s incredibly special.’
And Prince Harry and Meghan have kept Princess Diana’s family closely involved with the birth of their child.
Princess Diana’s sisters Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodal were among the first to meet baby Archie
The royal photographer who captured Archie’s christening
Photographer and former soldier Chris Allerton will capture shots of Archie’s christening today, having previous taken private photographs for Meghan and Harry.
Allerton is said to have formed a close bond with the couple, having taken private pictures during Archie’s photocall as well as the royal wedding.
He is said to have developed his first roll of film at just eight years old and according to his website ‘has been hooked on photography since’.
Allerton left the British Army in 2001 and went on to Lichfield Studios in Notting Hill.
One of the shots taken at Archie’s photocall (left) looked extremely similar to the one the couple used on their official Christmas card (right)
It was here that he learnt the skills needed to master professional photography. He now travels all over the world and has clients such as Harpers Bazaar, Tatler and broadsheet newspapers.
After taking photos at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in May last year, Allerton posted his thanks to the couple.
He said: ‘It was a great honour to be asked to photograph The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding day in May. I am delighted that Their Highnesses chose this photograph for their Christmas card.’
The couple used their SussexRoyal account to post the photographs taken by Chris Allerton
Allerton had previous studies at the University of Reading, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Prior to that he attended the prestigious Stowe School in Buckinghamshire.
In 1992 he started his Army career and served there until 2001. During his time in the Army he worked for the Household Cavalry.
He was commissioned into The Life Guards, Household Cavalry, before serving in Bosnia in 1994 and Singapore and Argentina in 1995.
In the second snap the couple look adoringly at their new arrival, named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor
His last posting was in 1998 at the Adjutant New College at The Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst. He resigned commission in 2000.
In 2001 he started work as a photographic director for Photographic Records. He worked there for over two years.
He then decided to start his own company Allerton Photography, which has offices in both London and Wiltshire.