Saturday, July 6, 2019

Archie's baptism


Both photos: @Chris Allerton/Sussex Royal

Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was baptized today in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle.  The officiant was Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Only 25 guests attended the ceremony in the small chapel (which seats 30).  Neither a guest list nor the names of the godparents were released.


The Church of England requires at least three godparents, two of whom must be the same sex as the infant who is being baptized.   Godparents must also be baptized in the Trinity and should also be confirmed.

This means Meghan's friends,  Jessica Mulroney and Serena Williams, cannot serve as godparents.  Jessica is Jewish and Serena is a Jehovah's Witness, a faith that does not recognize the Holy Trinity.

The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the baptism, as well as Meghan's mom, Doria Ragland, and Harry's two maternal aunts, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes.

The first photo was taken in the Green Drawing room at Windsor Castle.

One guest spotted arriving by car at Windsor was Alexandra "Tiggy" Pettifer (nee Legge-Bourke) who served as William and Harry's nanny, companion and as a personal assistant to the Prince of Wales.

Tiggy is the daughter of William Legge-Bourke and the Hon. Shan Bailey, daughter of the 3rd Baron Glanusk, who became the Princess Royal's Lady-in-Waiting in 1987.

It is possible that Tiggy is one of Archie's godmothers.  William and Harry are godfathers of Tiggy's two sons, respectively.

The Sunday Times is reporting that Charlie van Straubenzee is one of Archie's godfathers.   Charlies and the Duke of Sussex have been friends in school and, at Harry's wedding, Charlie gave one of speeches at the reception.

The christening service was described as "intimate."



No comments: