When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed their first child into the world, they knew they wanted to do things their own way.
While heir to the throne Prince William was tied by royal tradition when he and Kate welcomed George, Charlotte and Louis, Harry’s lower place in the line of succession meant he had slightly more freedom.
They couple kept details around Archie’s birth secret, refusing to name the hospital where Meghan would give birth and opting again posing for the traditional ‘hospital steps’ photo started by Princess Diana and continued by Kate.
Harry decision to do things his own way continued to Archie’s christening, however that decision received more criticism.
While christenings aren't normally broadcast, the press are usually invited to take photos of the family and their guests, including the new Godparents, as they arrive and leave the celebrations.
The family snaps are always a huge hit with royal fans around th world, offering a proper glimpse at the royal baby. However Meghan and Harry didn’t do this and instead invited just 25 people to a private part of Windsor Castle for the event.
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, believes it was Harry's decision but worried it would put Meghan in a bad situation with the public and other members of their family.
Speaking at the time, Ingrid told MailOnline : "I think this is quite Harry-led and it is putting Meghan in a very difficult position.
"She's the one getting all the flak as a newcomer to the Royal Family. I assume Harry and Meghan don't know where they are going wrong and think the criticism is all so very unfair."
While the couple didn’t allow photographers into the event, they released a handful of professional snaps from the day.
One included a gorgeous family photo, featuring the proud parents, King Charles, Camilla, the Waleses, Meghan’s mum Doria and Princess Diana’s sisters.
The Queen and Prince Philip weren’t able to attend the event due to a prior engagement. They also missed Prince Louis's christening earlier in the year, but attended George and Charlotte's celebrations.
It’s believed that the small group of guests sat down for a lunch following the brief service.
A Windsor source told People : “It was very, very low key. You wouldn’t have even known it was going on. It was all very well thought through.”
They also said little Archie was very well behaved during the celebrations, adding: "Archie was so sweet, so calm. The mood was joyful."
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby conducted the service, having confirmed Meghan into the church ahead of her marriage to Harry last year.
The source said: “Having gone through her confirmation just a little more than a year ago, she forged a very close bond with the Archbishop of Canterbury [Justin Welby]. She has a particular fondness for him, having gone through confirmation as an adult, and going through that process relatively new to the U.K. and at a key point in her life.”
