Adorable new details have emerged about Archie's christening – including Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's guest list.

The small, private ceremony at  Windsor Castle is taking place later today and official pictures will be released after 3pm.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is conducting the christening in the Private Chapel, and the couple have asked photographer Chris Allerton to take the photos.

"The godparents, in keeping with their wishes, will remain private," a statement by Buckingham Palace said earlier this week.

And despite the couple wanting to keep the ceremony underwraps, the Palace has revealed some of the intimate details, including how water from the River Jordan will be used during the baptism.


Archie will wear the handmade replica of the Royal Christening Robe, created by Angela Kelly, Dressmaker to The Queen, while some members of the St George’s Chapel Choir will be singing at the ceremony.

The choir boys performed under director of music James Vivian at the couple's wedding, alongside the Kingdom Choir, whose gospel performance of 'Stand by Me' was an instant hit.

The official photographs will be taken in the Green Drawing Room by Allerton, who was one of the couple's wedding photographers.

Among the confirmed guests are grandparents Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

The Royal Christening Robe

Archie will be christened in a historic gown steeped in decades of royal tradition.

The Royal Christening Robe, of fine Honiton lace lined with white satin, was made in 1841 for the christening of Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, Victoria, Princess Royal.

The original gown was subsequently worn for all Royal christenings, including The Queen, her children and her grandchildren, until the youngest of The Queen's eight grandchildren, James, Viscount Severn.


The Queen commissioned Angela Kelly to make a hand-made replica of the Royal Christening Robe in order to preserve the original.

James, Viscount Severn, was the first member of the Royal Family to wear this replica gown at his christening at the private chapel at Windsor Castle on 19th April 2008.

Archie's cousins – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – have all worn the replica frilly cream outfit for their christenings, as did Zara and Mike Tindall's daughters Mia and Lena.

The Lily Font

The Lily Font is a silver baptismal font which was commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840 after the birth of their first child, Victoria, Princess Royal.

It was first used at The Princess Royal’s christening in 1841 and has been a feature of Royal christenings since then.

Water from the River Jordan will be used during the baptism.

The same water was also used at the christening of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The tradition is nod to the Royal Family’s faith and the river is where Jesus is said to have been baptised by John the Baptist, a preacher who is believed to have worn a cloak of camel hair and lived on locusts and honey.

He developed the practice of immersing people in the river to show they had repented of their sins and turned to God for forgiveness.

Music

Some members of the St George’s Chapel Choir, who performed at Harry and Meghan's wedding, will be singing at the ceremony.

Conducted by James Vivian, the Choir of St George’s Chapel comprises up to 23 boy choristers from St George’s School and twelve Lay Clerks singing alto, tenor and bass.

The Choir, which was founded in 1348, can be heard in venues throughout Europe in addition to its liturgical schedule of eight services per week in St George’s Chapel. 

Guest list

Prince Charles, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, as well as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are among members of the Royal Family confirmed to be attending.

Meghan's mum Doria Ragland is also flying to the UK.

As we previously revealed, the Queen is to miss the christening and sources claim Harry and Meghan could have been "more accommodating about the date".

It was earlier revealed the Queen would miss the day due to an unspecified "prior engagement".


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