The Queen will not be attending Archie Mountbatten Windsor’s christening tomorrow at Windsor Castle. We knew that weeks ago. I thought that the Queen had already set it up so that she wouldn’t be expected at every great-grandchild’s christening, especially since she skipped out of Prince Louis’s christening last year. I also figured that the Queen was probably busy or booked with other sh-t. As it turns out, she was booked. And now the Daily Mail and various “senior staff” in Buckingham Palace are sniffing at the Sussexes for the christening date they chose:
The Queen is unable to attend her new great-grandson Archie’s christening tomorrow after a major diary clash. Harry and Meghan had originally planned to hold the baptism at Windsor Castle today, it can be revealed, and made plans with their son’s new godparents and the duchess’s mother Doria – only to discover that both the Queen and Prince Charles had prior engagements. After a family conference, they agreed to move the date to tomorrow to accommodate Charles, who has been in Wales for the week to mark his 50 years as Prince of Wales.
The Queen had long planned to spend the weekend with Prince Philip at Sandringham, where she will visit the Royal Stud, and decided to bow out graciously. While the monarch has not been able to attend all of her great-grandchildren’s christenings – she missed Prince Louis’s baptism last year – it is understood that she would have liked to be present for the first big celebration for Harry’s first child. But because her diary is so busy – like any head of state it is often filled with engagements a year in advance – it was felt that it would be difficult to find another day that suited the couple and their friends. The situation has surprised some senior staff at Buckingham Palace, who feel that the duke and duchess should have planned the day better.
‘There is huge support for the couple in not wanting to conform to tradition. They are young, they are striking out on a different path from other members of the Royal Family and there is enormous goodwill for them. But they shouldn’t do that without regard for tradition,’ said one. ‘Her Majesty was already scheduled to be in Scotland for her annual Holyrood Week and had a prior engagement at the weekend. There is a feeling amongst some that they should have been more accommodating about the date.’
Holyrood Week is one of the most important days in the sovereign’s calendar, when she carries out engagements across Scotland, staying in Edinburgh’s Palace of Holyrood House, her official residence north of the border. It is one of the ‘non-negotiable’ dates in her diary and after an exhausting five days, the elderly monarch is flying straight to Norfolk rather than go back to London. It is normal for her to take in Sandringham, where she and her husband spend a private weekend together, before she returns to Buckingham Palace for her final official engagements before the summer break. Sources close to Harry and Meghan insist the Queen is ‘happy’ with the decision and was understanding of their keenness to see their son christened sooner rather than later.
‘They went to her office with the date and a collective decision was made,’ said one. ‘The Queen has had the US state visit and Holyrood Week in quick succession and has had this weekend with the Duke of Edinburgh in her diary for a long time.’ The source said this was one of the reasons that the historic photograph of the Queen with her new great-grandson was issued shortly after his birth. Their office knew then that she wouldn’t be able to attend and it was agreed that it would be a nice touch as Her Majesty wouldn’t be in the official photographs,’ they said. ‘The original date of Friday was changed to Saturday to accommodate the Prince of Wales, who is, after all, Archie’s grandfather. While this was the best weekend for friends and family coming over from the US, they did just really want to hold the christening as soon as possible, before everyone disappears for the summer. As a family they took a collective decision that this was the best option.’
So basically some unnamed senior aides felt the need to whisper to the Daily Mail that Meghan and Harry are too diva-ish to change the date of the christening to suit Her Maj’s busy schedule, even though the Sussexes literally went to the those same senior aides to work out the best date for everyone involved. The Sussexes are upholding the royal tradition by christening Archie two months after his birth, and they already changed their planned date to suit Charles. If it was important to the Queen, she would have been there. But much like Prince Louis’s christening, it seems like the Queen is less interested in rearranging her schedule for every great-grandchild.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Backgrid and Avalon Red.
That might be the first coat on TQ that I’m not wild about. The hat and color are great, that odd neckline though.
Agreed. The pink-and-black combo is flattering, and the floral trim on the hat is nice, but that weird collar is just distracting. I love the little round brooch, though.
Prince George was three months old when he was baptized.
But what can you do? The Sussexes can’t accommodate everyone.
And f they waited another month you then run into the general exodus to Balmoral and the Castle Of Mey
And of course, if they waited to do the Christening at Balmoral, when they’re are with TQ (it’s been put out that M&H&A will be there for Meg’s birthday) , then you KNOW there would *other* royals that won’t be able to make it up there. Waiting till fall means busy time for end of the year numbers. They can’t win.
I think the real issue is inviting a ton of people to Balmoral which is a private family Estate where the Queen is resting for the summer Break.
Essentially I think they wanted Archie christened in Windsor for Privacy reasons. The article is a dig at them for that… there was clearly some conspiring with Courtiers and The Fail to make Archie’s baptism details public and Meg/ Harry thwarted that…
I’m not getting a bad vibe about Harry/Meghan from this article. It seems more like they wanted to preemptively answer any question about why the queen was not in attendance. Making sure the finger is firmly pointed at the couple for the date they chose rather than letting it look like the queen was just opting out. This being Harry’s first child I do see how people might question her absence.
She didn’t attend the christening for Louis. She has also been absent from other events. The press is once again causing hysteria over something that matters very little to the rest of the world.
Why are the Sussexes being covered by the media as if they are the future King and Queen? Those reporters are obsessed with Harry and Meghan. Most people just want to see a photo, and many of us are tired of seeing daily negative stories.
Royal Reporters are not obsessed with Harry and Meghan. Royal Reporters are obsessed with making money. Normal Bill & Keen Cathy only generate money generating click$ and/or sell newspapers when Rose Hanbury is a major part of the story.
The only thing interesting thing about William and Kate at this point are their kids. The Cambridge’s clearly don’t sell like they used too in the beginning. The press are obsessed with Harry and Meghan because they’re unpredictable and not playing the media rules. Meghan and Harry sell but they aren’t the future monarchs and with this hounding, you would think they were the future heirs.
Her absence at Louis’ christening was covered quite a bit, and the similar language of it was a decision made mutually and everyone was fine with it. Now the only difference is Harry and Meghan get the same treatment and similar language as K&W with Louis but with the added “some of the Queen’s courtiers are upset the Sussexes weren’t more accomodating to the Queen.” In terms of some of their regular press, this is a bit better.
I believe it is the Sussexes fault entirely. As more information emerges, you begin to question how much anger Harry continues to carry since the death of his mother.
Stop trolling with such nonsense.
If Harry and MM wanted to be flexible with their son’s date of Christening, then HM would attend.
@Citresse, if the Queen really wanted to be flexible she would attend the christening. She is “busy” because she is spending the weekend at Sandringham. The Sussexes do not appear to have picked a date that clashed with her official duties but she will not forgo her weekend leisure plans. It is the Queen that is coming off as being inflexible to me.
The Queen has been working all week, keeping up a schedule that would daunt a far younger woman. Her schedule is planned long in advance. She’s not a random 93 year old great-grandmother, she’s a head of state. The calculations were made and this decision was taken. It’s no one’s fault, sometimes scheduling just doesn’t work out.
How is anyone at fault for scheduling a christening? The hate directed at these two will never end.
There was never a plan for the Queen to be there. That is why we got the iconic picture of the Sussexes, the Queen and Philip and Archie after he was born.
It’s rather sad/funny that you need to comment consistently on two people that you clearly don’t like. Don’t you have any other interests/hobbies that would bring you happiness other than making negative comments about 2 people you don’t even know or are likely to ever meet?
He carries so much anger in him that he decided to reschedule to make sure Charles attends?
Harry and MM depend on Charles for a lot. They don’t want to bite the hand that feeds them.
However, in this case, they’re being downright disrespectful to HM.
Actually, if anyone was being disrespectful, it would be Her Majesty if she really cannot be bothered to go. But she’s not being disrespectful by not going if she has something planned (yes, a weekend off counts as a plan, to me, considering her workload) – and they are not being disrespectful if they’ve already changed the date to accommodate someone. They probably couldn’t very well change it a third time.
“Downright disrespectful”? So now you are speaking for the Queen? Really!
What exactly have H&M done wrong? It sounds like they did everything correctly, but it’s just a bad time of the year schedule-wise. Ultimately, this is much to do about nothing.
@Citress you ok?
You know you arguing over a baby’s christening right?
it seems that nothing harry and meghan do is ever right. the queen was busy and couldnt make it – were they supposed to wait for her to be free ? what else can they do – anyway it is done now
Yeah, they should have delayed the birth so the baby could arrive at a more convenient time of the year. That way the christening could take place at a more convenient time, too. But that’s just like Meghan — thinking only of herself when going into labor.
Citresse your comments are becoming more and more ludicrous. The only “more information” that will be revealed is from the utter, blatant crap being made up by the gutter press.
I’m not arguing over Archie’s Christening…..I hope all attendees, all parties, have a joyful time, and if H and M prefer to keep the list of godparents private, it’s their right. I do believe that.
If, and it is a huge, massive *if* Harry continues to “carry anger” over the death of his mother, he holds it against the press.
If he holds it against the press, good on him. Much of the press in the UK are racist monsters.
Harry obviously holds no animosity toward the Queen. If you’re implying that he does or did, you’re wrong.
The Queen doesn’t attend every event anymore. Her husband attends very few, and her free time has to be divided between her husband and everyone else.
It really is stunning how no matter what Harry and Meghan do, it’s presented negatively. Very tiresome!
Agree completely! As a parent I would not want to subject my child to scrutiny to people who direct so much negativity towards my marriage and family. You want to protect your child at all costs.
My guess is that this particular week worked out the best for H&M for whatever reason, and since Friday would have meant Charles and Elizabeth missed, they went with Saturday so that just Elizabeth missed.
I think at this stage the queen is probably like, “you do you, and if I can fit it in, I will.” I don’t think there is anything more to it than that.
Louis was christened at almost exactly the same time, July 9, 2018, which was a Monday. TQ did not attend, likely for the same reasons she won’t be at Archie’s christening. She was traveling back from Norfolk (likely Sandringham) that day, and Holyrood Week would have been the week before.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-44758589
Presumably, the future king and future queen consort had reasons for choosing that date that were just fine with the queen, and with all the snarky courtiers currently opining for the DM. This precedent is now being followed by H&M, who did in fact consult with the queen’s office and changed the date to accommodate Charles.
Could be this date is most convenient for any of Meghan’s friends or family coming from the US, but that’s unlikely to have been a consideration for W&K, who chose the same timeframe. So maybe this time of year just works out better for the extended royal family.
If they had accommodated everyone, and everyone was able to attend with a smile on their faces, they still would have presented that negatively. They just need to do their thing and carry on.
I grew. Go about your life. The only issue I had was the comment that they ate young. Both are in their 30s, the Duchess in her late 30s. Harry as been at the business of being a Royal his whole life. He knows how it goes. Plan your events, live your life. Clearly no matter what you do will be criticized so do what works best for you
30’s aren’t young?
The Queen is not even doing anything important. She’s just hanging out in Sandringham. If I were Meghan, I wouldn’t move my date so that the Queen can do the very important task of… hanging out at home? F that. I don’t care if she’s the queen. As you said, if she wanted to attend, she could attend.
The queen will be hanging out with her 98 year old husband while getting some much needed downtime after an unusually busy few months. I know she is spry, but 93 year olds do need to catch their breath once in awhile.
I work with the very elderly. Her Majesty needs to be cut some serious slack at this point in her life.
I feel you, and you are right. But I also think if you have to schedule your life around when the queen is in town there’s probably only a few weekends a year it really works. Other people have needs and schedules to work around as well. 🤷♀️ Which is why this controversy is foolish.
I watched one of my 99yo residents catch the pencil I sent flying off a bench last week. Bea just reached out and caught it midair. Gotta admit I was floored by her speed and coordination, it was amazing.
Sorry, I did not see your response and posted a similar one above. I agree that it is the Queen that is being inflexible here.
Good point Millennial,
The Queen simply chose not to attend; as a 93-yr old, that’s her right. In fact, many great-grandmothers her age do not attend christenings, preferring to stay at home for the brunch later.
But, the press started talking about it. So the courtiers blamed H&M because they sell newspapers. If Bill & Cathy were still news, they would the spun the story so the Cambridges kept requesting different dates, making it impossible to accommodate everyone.
Loathsome…
Poor Charles. It’s actually more important for him to be there than the Queen imho. She is very elderly and cannot be expected to travel all over everywhere to get to events. This article is trying to make clear that the Queen would have liked to go if her diary permitted and that there was an attempt made to accommodate her. That is all. It is likely difficult to schedule this to accommodate all the people attending and it’s really no concern of Joe Public anyway.
Plus, she’ll have many opportunities to see Archie at family functions.
And with them living at Frogmore Cottage, as HM is at Windsor many weekends outside of Balmoral time.
It’s obvious Harry and Meghan wanted it to happen this weekend to better accommadate their American friends who have actual jobs and are flying across an ocean for this event with Americans have the 4th as a holiday.
Good point !
I don’t think most of her friends work 9-5 jobs without flexible hours. Is it a four day weekend in the states?
Yes, for most people who do not work in retail, banking or federal government jobs it is a four day weekend.
No, it’s not a four day weekend for everyone (or even nearly everyone). My husband works for the federal government and he got just the 4th; I work in healthcare, and I’m seeing patients today. In fact, I’ve never had a four-day weekend for the Fourth without using PTO. It may have been easier to schedule everyone for the christening on this date, but let’s not act like all of America shuts down for the fifth of July and that’s why the date was chosen.
If you are lucky enough to have PTO and be able to use it when you choose, then yes, for some folks its a four day weekend. I used up all my PTO on maternity leave (because they take your PTO on mat leave, nothing you can do about it) so I’m basically at work by myself rn.
Uh, not necessarily! Lot’s of us still have to show up to work!
I’m in transportation, and my friends are in publishing and HR for a manufacturer and we’re all at work today.
Doing nothing but we’re here nonetheless.
Some people have a four day weekend. For example, I scheduled a vacation day for the Friday after the 4th, and then the company owners decided to just shut the whole place down for 5 days so no one would have to work. Other people do have to work on the Friday, and other people might work the holiday or weekend too (if in health care, public safety, retail, hospitality, etc) Who knows the work schedule of H & M’s friends?
One thing to consider about the schedule of the Christening, while I don’t know H & M’s personal position on this, some people I know have wanted to have the Christening sooner rather than later because of the spiritual significance of it in their faith.
Sorry that’s kind of weird reasoning. Yes most of her friends don’t have 9-5 jobs, plus she worked on a show which filmed in Canada and has a fair amount of Canadian friends who don’t get the 4th off, and nothing says let’s celebrate July 4th like going to the country we declared our independence from. I’m sure King George, Harry’s great, great, great…grandfather would like this. Not to mention the 5th isn’t a holiday for a lot of businesses even if they were American. I don’t know why they picked this weekend, but pretty sure the 4th wasn’t much of a factor.
I do think it is kind of sad the Queen won’t be there. I know she isn’t going to all christenings, but Archie being Harry’s first I thought she might make it. Still it’s all good at 93 I’ll give her a break on this, plus the pictures were lovely. Love the fact that Diana’s sisters were in the official picture. I wonder if Charles Spencer, her brother, wasn’t there because of scheduling or what? I know Charles Spencer and Prince Charles don’t exactly see eye to eye. Hope it wasn’t that. Two lovely Diana stories recently. This one and Prince William speaking to Diana fans outside Kensington Palace on her birthday. Both are just sweet and nice to see.
Deleted
“The Queen had long planned to spend the weekend with Prince Philip at Sandringham, where she will visit the Royal Stud”
Well, at long last, that puts Phillip in his place.
When I’m the age of the Queen, I too hope to spend a weekend with the Royal Stud.
Bwahahahahaha!!!! Best comment ever!!!
Royal Comment of the Year, Who Are These People!
LOL!
Clearly Megs and Harry should have timed Archie’s conception better to accommodate his old ass greatgrandmother’s very tight schedule. I mean, this visit has been on thur books for years. Master Archie should have rearranged his birth for a more convenient time.
Ha!
The nerve of that Meghan! Clearly a breech of royal protocol!!
I don’t think the British people get how weird it sounds for them to demand the Sussex give them access to a 2 month baby. We continue to hear how insignificant Archie is to them yet they demand to see him. One person commented on a RR twitter feed…Meghan and her child are nobodies yet went on to say they they the British public deserve the right to see Archie at Christening. It’s Delusional thinking but it’s really sad. This is why Harry/Meghan must protect this baby. They are dealing with people devoid of reason and ethics!
The people who state this baby and this couple are insignificant are “haters”. The historical significance goes without saying. And I think comparing Louise to Archie (in regards to the Queen not attending) is not a fair comparison. This is the a first born for the Suxesses and Louise was third born.
What I’ve learned is not to believe anything that comes from the British Media. Let’s wait for the photos
Louise is a woman’s name here. Louis is the male name.
Have a feeling some people want to check out the colour of his skin … and Harry and Meghan are well aware of this and will handle it appropriately.
Not to mention the British Media has already portrayed their son as a Monkey. Look we know they want to see Archie to passive aggressively attack his parents and bully a baby. These people have no shame. Harry is protecting his family like any other husband and father would do. Let’s just hope that is enough.
That’s exactly why they want to see him.
One moron’s private twitter account is not the same thing as “the British media.”
I’m sorry after all the Trump hate the media rhetoric around here, I really feel we need to distinguish between the British conventional media and their tabloid media. Even a lot of the royal reporters are just gossip reporters. It’s dangerous to equate these two and by using this analogy we belittle the hardworking press, and a lot of people don’t understand the difference. I live in Annapolis, Md. where a person walked into a small local newspapers office and shot and killed five people just a little over a year ago cause he didn’t like the story written about him. I realize they are getting some unfair and bad press, but not really from the non-tabloid style media, and I think with the danger in today we need to differentiate this.
The British. People. Do. Not. Care.
The British media don’t care what it looks like to bully parents over a baby because they don’t see Archie as a ‘regular’ British baby. He’s part Black so to a lot of people he’s ‘less than’. He’s already been called a ‘monkey’ by an employee of the BBC. That would never happen to ANY White baby.
Harry and Meghan are going to have to protect Archie from the British media and other ugly racists until he’s old enough to do it himself.
@Tina, you seem to care though. Trying to diminish the ugliness of ANYBODY calling a newborn child a monkey is mind-boggling. This person also happened to work for the BBC which makes him a MEMBER OF THE BRITISH MEDIA.
I’m not trying to diminish it at all! I think Danny Baker is repellent for what he did, and have lost all respect for people like Dara O Briain who tried to defend him. But I do think it is inaccurate and unfair to blame the BBC/British media for it, as though it were some BBC editorial decision. It’s Danny Baker’s fault, no one else’s, and the BBC did the only thing they could by sacking him.
(And neither I, nor anyone else beyond royal reporters, is “demanding that the Sussexes give them access to a 2 month old baby,” which was the original quote.)
The only way to schedule a date where everyone was free would involve The Doctor and the TARDIS. You can’t compete with diaries that are booked years in advance, and you can’t schedule a christening for a baby that didn’t exist before now. Grandpa Wales should be there, and they made that possible. Her friends and family are in from all over. There is only so much accommodating that can be done before you just go on regardless, Queen or no.
If the old bat wanted to be there she would be there like she was for Zara’s daughter christening but she doesn’t so that’s that on that!
The Queen of England isn’t an old bat. I know she doesn’t mean anything to most Americans but other nationalities post here and she means a lot to many of us. Queen Elizabeth has reigned for my entire life and I’ve always admired and respected her.
These people have no idea what’s going on in Windsor or this christening and I can’t believe people consider the British tabloids especially the Daily mail as legitimate. It’s nonsense at its finest.
These random courtiers, if they exist, are the reason for the expression “making mountains out of molehills.”
“planned better”?? You can’t plan a christening very far in advance, the kid literally wasn’t here. Blessings to you Archie on your Baptism! Beautiful little boy.
This weekend most likely accommodated the American guests due to July 4th. Since the 5th is a Friday this year, lots of people are taking Friday off for a long weekend, making it ideal for people attending the christening on Saturday. They can fly back to the States on Sunday or Monday.
As for the Queen not being able to be present, it’s a shame but not the end of the world. She wasn’t there for Louis’s either so there is a precedent. Her calendar is busy, booked months (if not years) in advance. Plus she’s old and needs to rest. A christening cannot revolve around her schedule. It’s more important for Charles, Camilla, and Doria to be there at this point. Archie is not an heir anyways. I’m sure there will be plenty of other opportunities for the Queen to see Archie.
Of course HM’s aides are snippy about H&M: it’s a day that ends in “y.” HM is obviously thrilled about the new addition to the family; she and Philip visited H&M soon after the birth and a sweet photo of the doting great-grandparents was released. I think, at this stage in her life and the number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren she has be fortunate enough to live to see, she probably has to pick and choose what “life events” she’ll make an extraordinary effort to attend. I personally like the more relaxed picture of her first meeting with Archie more than any formal picture from the christening.
“Of course HM’s aides are snippy about H&M….” Yeah, and if the aides keep it up maybe it won’t be just me that thinks that the Queen is tacitly approving of this snippiness by not shutting it down (which she could).
I will say it again: I do not think that the Queen has Meghan’s best interests at heart if they clash with the egos of other senior royal family members.
You really think the Queen has time for this nonsense, the Courtiers are pissed that they have to bow to a BLACK women, that they can’t tell what to do.
@Peg, it looks like my other reply to you did not go through. So….
In a word, Yes, I think that the Queen has the time to shut down “this nonsense” from the Courtiers, particularly because it does appear to be driven much by racism (as well as jealousy, etc.).
The Queen’s not standing up for Meghan in light of the unprecedented attacks on her as a married-in royal speaks volumes. This is especially true when you consider how she or her staff have, or attempted to, shut down the press on other matters (I’m thinking Randy/Epstein, Diana’s candy store trips plea to the press by the Queen, etc.).
A few comments.
1) That article was stupid. Who cares if the “palace sources” were bothered. It says and I believe that the Queen was fine with the final scheduling. Only the snitches were bothered. Forget them and the reporter.
2) As an American & Sussex fan, I don’t think the couple would appreciate digs at the Queen. From all reports H & the Queen love & respect each other & the couple are committed to supporting her work.
3) If the UK press want a different relationship with the Sussexes they need to wake up and change their approach. The couple have numerous legitimate communication and media options for publicizing their causes without them. And Harry won’t put up with threats to his family. That’s in his core. I stand with him on that
“There is huge support for the couple in not wanting to conform to tradition. … But they shouldn’t do that without regard for tradition.” ?????
” it was felt that it would be difficult to find another day that suited the couple and their friends.”
I wonder why the didn’t have Archie christened in the 2nd or 3rd weekof June when every one was still in town, around the trooping of the colour. It’s not like they have to book the chapel it’s private and I’m sure the celebrant could have adjusted schedules. Seems to me that the friend’s available dates were given precedence over the Queen’s available dates.
Also the Queen didn’t just skip out on Louis christening on whim, she is 93years old, she had been off with the flu the week before, pulling out of a service at St Paul’s Cathedral she recovered enough to spend a full week at Holyrood House in Edinburgh, to attended all the events schedued for Hollyrood week in Scotland, immediately returning to London for the celebrations of the 100th birthday of the RAF.
She then had to deal with the first visit of Donald Trump later that week . She must have been exhausted, especially just after having the flu. A 30year old would have a tough ime with that schedule. Duty first and always with the Queen.
It means the Queen would really have liked to attend the christening as she always attends the christening of the firstborn of any Royal couple.
But the Queen know that there are more important events like those in Scotland. Scotland recently voted on splitting from Britain in order to become an independent country. The vote happened to either “remain” or to “leave”. It was a very very close win for “remain”. So Scotland will remain a part of Great Britain and the Queen thanks Scotland by attending these events. The Queen knows that keeping Scotland in Britain is more important than the christening of a baby whose parents can’t even re-schedule for the purpose of keeping a country together and for the purpose of showing the Queen some respect by respecting her schedule. The Queen must not let down Scotland by not attending.
So … Just set a different date.
That’s my girl, Lilibet! I knew you wouldn’t let anyone get away with talking sh*t about you without setting the record straight.
LOL. If Scotland choose to leave the UK as a result of Brexit, it will be without giving HM or Charles a backward glance. There’s fondness for a long-time figurehead vs. the reality of everyday existence post-Brexit.
The Indy campaign was at pains to emphasise that the Queen would continue to be Queen of an independent Scotland.
I guess the RR and haters will continue this hatred until the Sussex leave England. I can’t wait for the Sussex to tell all the ratchet roaches to kiss where the sun don’t shine.