Young Prince Archie of Sussex – as he is now officially known – was baptised by a Church of England archbishop in a private chapel at Windsor Castle, surrounded by future kings and queens and 1000 years of royal history.
His little sister Lilibet, meanwhile, couldn’t have had a more different experience at her own christening last weekend, held at her parents’ home in California.
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There was no sign of senior royalty, with sources close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex claiming King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales were invited but did not attend.
Instead, the almost-2-year-old princess was christened by a Hollywood bishop under the swaying palm trees on Harry and Meghan’s Montecito estate overlooking the Pacific Ocean, on a cold but sunny winter’s day.
Lili’s godfather, Hollywood bigwig Tyler Perry – who accepted the role on the condition that the christening was not held in the UK – jetted in for the ceremony, along with other famous faces including talk-show royalty Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey.
“It was wonderful,” says a source. “There was cake, and games for the kids. It was a festive atmosphere despite being a small gathering.”
Big brother Archie, 3, was “on his best behaviour.”
While Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland and a host of their American friends were there, our source says the “elephant in the room” was that Harry’s dad and brother weren’t in attendance.
A separate insider close to the royals tells New Idea that there “wasn’t enough notice” for the King or Prince William to attend. Both are very busy in the lead-up to the coronation with their diaries booked months in advance – which the Sussexes would have been aware of.
“It’s not that they didn’t want to attend, they simply couldn’t. And to suggest otherwise is unfair.”
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Last week when the Sussexes revealed they would indeed be using Archie and Lili’s prince and princess titles, as is their right given they’re the monarch’s grandchildren down the male line, it sparked shock waves through the palace.
“It was an unexpected decision, given the Sussexes have publicly rejected anything royal-related since 2020,” says a source. “Nevertheless, the King supports their choice.”
“Regardless of what’s going on between him and Harry, Charles is thrilled Lilibet will be known as a princess. It’s believed he wrote her a lovely note for her christening that she’ll be able to read when she’s older.”
“He wanted it conveyed that she will always be welcome in the UK and he would love her to be part of the family when she grows up, if she wishes – which is something that Harry and Meghan have always said they’ll support.”
“It does feel like there might be a thawing of relations between the Sussexes and the royals,and it’s all down to gorgeous Lilibet Diana.”
Buckingham Palace has confirmed they’ll update the line of succession on their website to include Archie and Lili’s new titles “in due course”.
For more, pick up the latest issue of New Idea!
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