Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s son Archie Harrison will be baptised this Saturday 6th July.
Unlike the more public christenings of other Royal Family members, the pair has planned a private ceremony, believed to be held in their wedding venue St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
It's believed photos of the ceremony will be released at a later date on the Duke and Duchess' Instagram account. In the past, the official royal website has also hosted the names of the godparents in a christening announcement. Tennis pro Serena Williams and Harry's childhood friend Charlie Von Straubenzee are believed to be potential godparent candidates for baby Archie.
Over the years, it has become customary to see pictures of the Royal Family gathering together for the religious ceremony, a ceremony which is steeped in tradition.
Since 1841, the baptism of Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Victoria, royal babies have all worn the same trailing royal christening gown designed by Janet Sutherland - or a replica of it. In 2004, the Queen commissioned her dressmaker Angela Kelly to create an exact copy of the original outfit which was first worn in public in 2008 at the christening of James, Viscount Severn. According to the Royal Collection Trust, the gown or its replica has been worn by 62 royal babies (including Queen Elizabeth).
Archie is likely to be baptised in the same ceremonial outfit, which his father Prince Harry and grandfather Prince Charles wore.
Scroll through our gallery above for pictures of past royal christenings
Prince Louis
Date: July 9, 2018
Kate Middleton and Prince William’s latest addition to their brood was christened nearly a year ago. Held at the Chapel Royal in St James’ Palace, Louis was pictured sleeping in many of the photographs as his mother beamed for the cameras.
It was also the first royal christening that the Duchess of Sussex attended alongside Prince Harry and the rest of the family.
Princess Charlotte
Date: July 5, 2015
Princess Charlotte’s christening didn’t take place in London but in a location close to the Royal Family's heart: Sandringham, where many members of The Firm traditionally spend Christmas.
The ceremony took place in the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate and both Kate and Prince William arrived pushing a traditional black pram which Charlotte was laid in. The christening also gave us one of the most iconic pictures of Prince George, which launched a number of memes.
Prince George
Date: October 23, 2013
As the first child of the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Prince George’s christening was a highly anticipated one. As with Prince Louis, the ceremony took place in St James’s Palace in London and Kate Middleton matched her outfit to the cream hue of the signature christening dress.
George was pictured looking hilariously unimpressed by the proceedings.
Princess Beatrice
Date: December 20, 1988
Back when Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew were still happily married, they were all smiles at the christening of their eldest daughter Princess Beatrice. While Prince Andrew distractedly played with his daughter’s hand, Sarah Ferguson smiled for the cameras in an emerald outfit.
Prince Harry
Date: July 6, 1984
Prince Harry clearly wanted nothing to do with the ceremonial christening robe on his big day, as he was photographed attempting to get out of it in an official portrait. Princess Diana posed for the shot in a cobalt suit against a powder blue backdrop.
Prince William
Date: August 4, 1982
Unlike his children, Prince William’s christening followed a previously set tradition by the Royal Family. Royals were typically baptised in Buckingham Palace, more specifically in the palace’s ornate Music Room. William and his father Prince Charles were both baptised there.
In a family portrait, Princess Diana was pictured looking lovingly down on William - seated between Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother. Unlike her future daughter-in-law, Princess Diana’s christening outfit was a bold splash of colour as she wore a floral pink dress and coral hat.
Peter Philips
Date: 1977
This christening marked Queen Elizabeth's first as a grandmother. Here, the Queen is pictured with her (very fashionably dressed) daughter Princess Anne and Anne's son Peter Phillips in Buckingham Palace.
Lady Sarah Chatto
Date: 1964
Princess Margaret was all smiles as she and Lord Snowdon were photographed with their children at Sarah's christening. This photo was taken just as the family were leaving home in Kensington Palace.
Princess Anne
Date: October 21,1950
Princess Anne is Queen Elizabeth's only daughter and like her siblings she was christened at Buckingham Palace. She wore the traditional lace robe and was baptised by Archbishop of York Cyril Forster Garbett, according to the Telegraph.
In one sweet picture, Princess Anne's older brother Prince Charles was pictured walking over to get a better look at his new sibling.
Prince Charles
Date: December 1, 1948
Prince Charles was baptised in Buckingham Palace in 1948 and his mother, Queen Elizabeth, looked radiant in the official portrait. Wearing a bold hat that would throw even Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie in the shade, Queen Elizabeth smiled for the camera as she cradled a sleeping Prince Charles.
Princess Margaret
Date: October 29, 1930
In 1930, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret were photographed in a car on the way to Margaret's christening.
Queen Elizabeth II
Date: 1926
This portrait depicts our current queen Elizabeth II, being cradled by the Queen Mother and her father King George VI.
King Edward VIII
Date: 1894
This is one of the oldest photos of a royal christening. It depicts Queen Victoria holding her great-grandson King Edward VIII.
