Royal commentators will do the absolute most to avoid talking about the Duke of York, sexual abuse and rape, so here we are with another story about a baby’s christening. For the record, I prefer to talk about christening drama too, but I wish there was actual news to discuss. This story seems more like a filler piece based off the July reporting which… was never even confirmed. When Prince Harry was in the UK for the Diana-statue unveiling, he reportedly told people that he would like Lilibet Diana to be christened in the UK, likely in Windsor, like Archie was. You would think that the family and the British press would salivate over the Sussexes’ potential return, however brief, with their children in tow. But no, we got several dumb stories about how rude it was for Harry to invite his grandmother to a christening which she obviously would not attend? It was a lot. Now one commentator suggests that no plans are even being made to have a Windsor christening, and it’s likely Lilibet will simply be christened in California.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s daughter Lilibet was born in California and she is likely to be christened there, according to one royal commentator who has claimed the Sussexes will seek to avoid “the controversy that surrounded Archie’s christening.”
Prince Harry, 36, and Meghan Markle, 40, welcomed their second child Lilibet Diana to the word in June. One royal commentator has cast doubt on speculation she will be christened in the UK and claimed the ceremony will be held in California in order to avoid the flack the Sussexes were dealt following the christening of their first child Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in July 2019.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “Harry and Meghan’s relations with the British press went badly downhill when Archie was christened in private and the names of the godparents were not released. The Sussexes were emphatic that they intended to do things their own way and so it has proved.”
Their protective parents’ decision not to release a picture of their daughter shows they are acting on their own terms, Mr Fitzwilliams added. He added: “It must be likely that she will be christened in California though there were rumours of a possible christening at Windsor. It seems certain that her christening will be in Meghan’s home state and with the secrecy but without the controversy that surrounded Archie’s christening.”
The Queen is yet to meet her new great-granddaughter Lili and it remains unclear when she might. Mr Fitzwilliams added: “We have no idea at all when the Queen and other members of the royal family will meet Lili or when Harry and Meghan will next visit the UK.”
If the Queen was so hellbent on meeting her great-granddaughter, surely the Queen would more than happy to welcome the Sussexes to Windsor for a christening in the early autumn? I mean, I get what Fitzwilliams is trying to do – he’s trying to make it sound like the Sussexes are mean and terrible for keeping their children away from the Windsors, but that Harry and Meghan are also awful for allegedly wanting to christen Lilibet in Windsor? Or something. Anyway, I would love it if Harry and Meghan did a California christening and simply invited the family for a visit to Montecito, to see Lili. That would put the ball in the royals’ court.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, SussexRoyal IG.
There are great number of Anglican churches in CA. It should work out fine. The British press won’t think it’s fine, but whatever.
Episcopalian. 🙂
Anglican, in the United States, is the very conservative denomination that seceded from the Episcopal Church over gay marriage.
Here’s where it gets confusing. The Episcopal Church is part of the Anglican Communion. The Anglican Church in North America is not.
Harry and Meghan might want to look at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in Los Angeles as an option, though All Saints by the Sea in Montecito looks pretty cool.
All Saints by the Sea is a lovely little church. It just reopened in July after extensive repairs including earthquake protection. (On Edit) Looking at their webpage, they also have a lesbian rector — oh, wouldn’t that make the BM’s heads explode!
All Saints is a very pretty church a block from the beach in Montecito. Side note-for many years the Reverend Hall was head of the church, who is Brad Hall’s dad and Julie Louis Dreyfus’s father in law.
Thank you! That was my first thought, will she be baptized as a member of the Church of England, and is that even possible in California?
I am here for a Cali Christening and no photos about the event. Starve the rats of content.
@ Scorpion : I think a California christening makes the most sense. Personally I would love to have a formal (or not so formal) photo of the parents, baby, minister all dressed up and looking nice. They could put it on the Archewell website.
Whatever they choose will be made into a slight against the Royal family . I think it would be wonderful to find out in Prince Harry’s memoirs that her christening was a private affair held weeks after her birth with the Queen on FaceTime.
Must people be reminded over and over: WE ARE *STILL* IN THE MIDST OF A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS PANDEMIC!! LITTLE CHILDREN CAN *NOT* BE VACCINATED!
WHY would H&M invite people to fly in from all over the place (some of whom we KNOW are MUCH too arrogant to wear masks and quarantine prior to coming (*cough* TOBB/KEEN*cough*CHARLES*cough* QUEENIE*).
IMO, send a ZOOM invite to the overseas crowd. They’ll pay as much attention to the christening as they paid during H&M’s wedding ceremony. H&M can keep them muted and enjoy the day with their kids and Doria.
Exactly. My son and daughter in law (she is a doctor) have basically decided not to fly anywhere with their 3 year old and 10 month baby until they can both be vaccinated. I’m pretty sure H and M feel the same way.
Seriously. That’s reality, it would be absurd to hold a big christening and have people travel from all over.
I was in China teaching when two of the foreign teachers got married there. Families did not come to China (from Britain and the US) but the wedding was FaceTime(d) to them from one of the front rows. It was lovely. Two of the older female teachers (in their 50’s) played mother of the bride for the event and held up their tablets to video the whole thing and live-time it to the relatives who couldn’t attend!
So basically, Fitzwilliams knows nothing but is still salty over Archie’s christening two years ago.
They should hold the christening wherever they want – if its in California, and the queen wants to attend, well she knows how to zoom by this point. If I were H&M I would have it in California and then invite whoever I wanted to invite, including family, and if they don’t come, oh well, that’s on them, I did what I could.
Vaccinated UK residents aren’t allowed in the US yet. So the royals have that excuse as to why they don’t come.
All the better! Invite them knowing they can’t attend lol.
Are you sure about this? I work with the vaccines in NYC, while I can’t think of specifically British folks, I get tourists the vaccination daily. They are definitely letting unvaxxed people in the country.
He was also one of the four “experts” who recorded their reactions to the Oprah interview – before it happened. So, he’s got a permanent credibility problem in my mind.
“So basically, Fitzwilliams knows nothing”
None of the members of the “Carnival of Royal Experts” know anything about the Sussexes plans on any matter.
Exactly. Richard Fitzwilliams really isn’t concerned about the christening.imo It seems to me his intent was to revise the timeline of when the relations with the press went downhill which actually, in regards to H & M’s relationship, goes back to the very beginning. Harry’s been vocal about his disdain of the BM for a long time, way before Meghan. Is Fitzwilliams really trying to sell the idea that they had good relations throughout the KP/BM smear campaign and other hideous headlines/stories about Megan over the last 5+ years? NYT had this story about the BM being big mad about not being invited to the wedding.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/01/world/europe/uk-royal-wedding-tabloids.html
There is a bit in the article about tabloid editors doing negative stories as revenge for reduced access.
Any real christening plans the Sussexes have are not being discussed with people that have loose lips.
Would you want to baptize your child in front of a woman who protects a rapist? Or can Harry also separate that from his Gran?
He must be able to since his Gran has been doing just that since the first Epstein case in 2008.
It feels like people are just flogging this dead horse just to pick fights. Queenie is protecting a rapist but not only that, she is the rapist’s mother AND Charles’ mother which makes her Harry’s grandmother. Harry can’t pick his family and he is not responsible for the queens actions either. Maybe people are wanting to hear Harry publicly renounce his grandmother (which will never happen)? 🤔 I mean continuing to go on and on about the queen is cold hearted but how can Harry still have a relationship with her is pointless IMVHO.
Why center Harry in this, if this is the avenue you want to take? Harry left the royal family–what about the rest of them, who have stayed, aren’t they culpable for supporting the queen for supporting Andrew?
That’s the absurdity of this kind of argument.
Sorry Babs, meant to reply to mtc
I forgot there’d be a christening. Maybe that’ll be the first official Lili picture. Otherwise I don’t really care how or where or when. The Sussexes will do what’s best for their family.
I don’t think there will ever be an official picture of Lili.
Maybe we get a picture without her face? I’d love to see the dress they pick.
I’m torn, because if they don’t release one there’s an even bigger paparazzi target on their daughter. Race to see who can invade their privacy and get a pic of their daughter first kind of thing.
@nota that’s the only reason I thought we would have seen a picture by now. Not because they “owe” us or anything, but just to get the target off her back so to speak. Get the first pic out there so there isn’t such a high price on that first pic of Lili.
None of us need to see photos of their kids until they are over 18 and can decide for themselves if they want a public life. I think if enough time passes the paps will lay off, I feel like they have already and am sure being in the US has helped.
@Philly please see where I was very clear that they do not owe us a picture. I do think being in the US makes a big difference, especially california, but I’m not sure the paps are going to lay off, not as long as they can sell the pictures in the UK and make a ton of money.
I’m actually hoping there will be no photos of Lili anytime soon because of what’s going on with Andrew. Right now, with Andrew finally being put somewhat on blast–of course not by the BM–a photo of Lili would be the greatest gift to the RR’s. They can starve waiting.
Nota & Becks:
That was my thinking too. I certainly don’t feel “owed” a picture, though I’d love to see one, but more that celebrities/public figures often release family pictures to control their own narrative. If intrusive pap pics got released I wouldn’t give them a click. I’m only interested in pictures that H & M choose to release.
‘It’s one of the reasons people think Meghan is calculating. ‘
Welp, you outed your true self with that one.
Just to clarify, @Notasugarhere is responding to a deleted post. I didn’t say that. 😮
Lol Andrew could make a pit stop at JFK on the way to Montecito. To consult with his US counsel, obviously.
Uncle Andy should definitely consider a family visit to the U.S. Grab some pizza in NYC, some sun in Montecito, attend the christening. *Hi Andy!* We’d love to see you on this side of the pond! Nothing suspicious about this invite. Come on over.
Have it in California and make Eugenie the godmother so she can be the only Royal in attendance. Take a great group photo with Archie, Gus and Lili.
Bill will have a fit.
Especially if all the children are facing away from the camera and we see little Royals backsides. I would enjoy that.. (I am having a very petty day🤷🏼♀️)
This is an excellent idea. If I were H&M I’d only want supportive people around me. Why waste time on those who wish to harm you?
Not just the children’s backs Cessily, but the dogs’ and maybe the chickens’ too.
You know, not everything they do has to be about the other royals. A christening is a religious sacrament and not a game of one upmanship. How they choose to christen their baby, especially in these times, is their business and don’t see why anyone is that concerned about it.
As far as we know, neither Zara nor Eugenie’s new sons have been christened due to the pandemic. Both those children were born before Lilibet. But the RRs are convinced that Lili’s christening must be done pronto, in the midst of ongoing COVID travel restrictions, and be up for public discussion.
Probably because Zara and Eugenie aren’t nearly as interesting as H&M? I mean, Zara’s wedding was covered by some paps hanging out outside the church and some official photos. Eugenie’s was on one or two networks and watched by very few people. H&M’s wedding was basically a global event. Since Zara and Eugenie haven’t done anything since to change their level of fame, it makes sense that they would continue to be covered the same way they have always been covered. The RRs likely don’t care about them any more than the rest of us.
Guess I should have remembered to put the sarcasm tag in there.
Since their are not members of an Anglican Church yet, donate to the church and ask Bishop Curry if he is healthy to travel and have him christen Lili.
The BM are scratching the bottom of the barrel, I am sure the Queen meet Lili on Zoom, since Lili is not a horse or Corgi, the Queen was fine with that.
I thought of Bishop Curry to, he’s awesome. I hope he gets to do the christening and the world never hears a peep about it.
Why do they need the Head of the Anglican Church in the US to do the service? My guess is that they will get their local minister to do it like normal people.
Normal people don’t have Tabloids lying about them every day and complaining about your child named after a great grandmother.
@Amy Bee said:
“Why do they need the Head of the Anglican Church in the US to do the service? My guess is that they will get their local minister to do it like normal people.”
Exactly @Amy Bee. M&H don’t really know Bishop Curry well, and they surely haven’t seen him since their wedding, which was the same day they first met him. BTW, Curry is head of the Episcopal Church of America.
Whatever plans M&H have for Lili Diana’s christening, I’m sure it will turn out lovely, and completely under-the-radar. While we probably won’t see any pictures taken during the christening, maybe a picture of the entire Sussex family might drop online via one of the Sussex charities this Christmas.
It’s interesting that the Express didn’t attempt to link their story about Harry returning to the UK at the end of the year with the possibility of the christening taking place in Windsor. I think it’s proof that the initial story about the christening was bogus. For all his crying about the Sussexes being unpredictable, I think Fitzwilliams is right about this one. They’re going to christen Lili in California. But I don’t think they will invite the family. Any involvement by the Windsors will ensure that information is leaked to the press. As for the so-called controversy surrounding Archie’s christening that was all the work of the Palace, not Harry and Meghan just like the fuss made around his birth was the Palace doing as well.
And with no judgement I always wonder just how ‘staunch ‘ or devoted of Christians the Royal family really are, I could buy that the Queen Mother and Lilibet Snr were/are actually regular church goers and followers but i Feel most come for only special occassions.
She is literally the head of the church as PC will be when he is King. I do not think they are religious beyond the fact that it is another institution that they are figurehead leaders of and use for PR. They certainly do not live what Christianity preaches, at least from the churches I’ve attended. (No judgement just an observation I have also seen many public people use Christianity as a prop for their image, that is their issue to resolve at a later date.)
Not that staunch, if they could be committing adultery and paedophilia, constantly lying to the press, being racist and habouring feelings of jealousy and envy. I include the Head of the Anglican Church aka the Queen in this. Her commitment to the Church comes from the notion that her power supposedly comes from God and that she is head of the church.
WORD, Amy Bee.
I think Charles is also pretty religious. If I’m remembering correctly, Harry has said that he’s fairly religious, and attends church sometimes or something like that. I don’t think W&K are religious at all. They seem to only attend church when they have to and for Kate’s birthday. Kate’s birthday church visit seems to be more about the walk into church than any actual belief in god.
@Ainsley: Charles is religious because he’s the future Head of the Anglican Church. He’s actions over the last 70 years says otherwise.
I’d describe Charles as more spiritual than religious, with an almost academic interest in studying religions from all over.
@Notasugar I agree Charles is more spiritual and I think Laurens van der Post’s writings influenced him greatly when he was young.
I think whatever the Sussexes decide about the christening will have zero to do with “seeking to avoid controversy” with the British press. Lol
Indeed.
Both do care for some family members (especially Eugenie and the Queen) and separate family from the institution so if the Delta Variant wasn’t a thing, I could see them going. But it is, so I think a CA christening is very likely. But I imagine it’ll be kept secret from the press. At “best”, we can get a statement saying “Lili was christened on *insert date here*”
I think more likely the UK thing would be so that Diana’s sisters could attend like they did Archie’s.
And Diana’s sisters can’t travel because….?
It bugs the ever loving crap out of me when people act like the onus is on the Sussexes to travel. There ain’t nothing stopping UK family members from traveling if they are invited and able. It’s safer for these vaccinated adults to travel and properly quarantine than trying to force unvaccinated vulnerable children to.
They might be willing to travel or H&M might want Lili to be christened in the same place Archie was. There is no hurry for the christening. People do not have to be christened as infants in the CofE, unlike Catholic church so it could be put off until later. I fail to see where I said anybody should travel unnecessarily during the pandemic.
Apparently UK citizens cannot enter the United States yet, even with a vaccination so Diana’s sisters will not be traveling to the US anytime soon.
equality: there is no obligation to christen an infant under catholic church. I am myself, the godmother of a person who was christened at age 5 due to parents just postponing the christening. My kiddo was baptized at 1 year old, and I was in no hurry, but I am glad we did it since my mother in law passed not long after.
@Sofia: i don’t think we going to get an announcement of the christening. Harry got away from the Royal Family so he didn’t have to do these kind of things anymore. I seriously think they only announced that Meghan was having another child because they were doing the Oprah interview.
Well I did say it’ll be kept a secret from the press.
For all we know, Lili has already been christened.
Imagine somebody doing things on their “own terms” with their “own” child. The nerve. Whatever they do there will be “flak” and “controversy” so they should do what they want. The BM thinks it’s great that Archie and Lili will have no title or be “working” royals but still think they are entitled to pictures and info?
That’s what pisses me off the most. These people rejoice over the fact that Archie and Lili Di have no titles, while foaming at the mouth that H&M still have theirs, and then have the audacity to be upset about no pics of the Sussex children. Aren’t the “real” royal children enough? Shouldn’t George, Charlotte, and Louis be their only focus?
They want a picture of Lili to sell papers; and the Sussexes are probably keeping christening plans under wraps so the BM can’t arrange for Bad Dad or another Markle mutt to come to the house and try to crash – and have it all put on film.
This is basically “ I know nothing, there’s nothing new to report, but I have a deadline. Hmmmm , let me report old news, make some stuff up so it looks fresh and run with that.” SMDH!
A dear friend of mine died last week. I live on Vancouver Island, she lived in Toronto. I am attending the funeral via live stream as I refuse to fly even though I’ve had both vaccinations. So they could certainly live stream Lili’s christening so family members in the UK can take part.
There, fixed it for you.
My condolences, Jaded.
Sorry to hear it, Jaded.
So sorry for your loss, Jaded.
For all we know, the christening may have already happened.
True. It would be funny if it did already happen.
I had same thought. Christenings are low-key in the U.S., with only immediate family and godparents in attendance. A short event at your local church. I can’t remember the U.S. press fussing over any christening, no matter how famous the parent. It barely merits a mention in the newspaper.
I also think the British press is dying to gauge Lili’s skin color. That’s why they want a photo.
Lili’s complexion is all the RR’s want to see. It is their all-consuming goal in life. They are dying to get a look at her and I’m glad her parents are keeping her under wraps, as much as I want to see her.
OT: Doria must be over the moon with joy. Her daughter home where she belongs, and two beautiful grandchildren.
deleting duplicate
These “journalists” should learn to do research. In the CofE christening doesn’t have to be done for an infant. There’s not some sort of time limit on it. I guess, if any of them want the baby to wear that “special” christening gown for the royals, it has to be while it still fits but other than that there is no rush.
Can they have a christening on Zoom? The Archbishop of Canterbury, who christened Archie, could choose and American proxy, and do the deed from London. Granny can watch on zoom, and maybe Eugenie and Jack.
British media: “Ignoring Lili’s Windsor christening was the only thing the queen had that was all her own!”
So Fitz-makeshit-up before it even happens is at it again. These people all mad because the Sussex won’t show pictures of their children and therefore the rr is starving. The Sussex said not another dime off our children and the British media is loosing it big time. This is not about the christening or Harry family, they just want pictures of Harry and Meghan children so they can see how black they are and make money off them.
Well that’s too f-ing bad. Private citizens don’t owe you jack shit. You wanted pictures of Archie and lili, then you should have been decent people and not smear their mother and tell her to get out. She heard your screaming and followed your advice. Now she gone , her husband gone, her kids gone and none of you won’t ever make another penny off them unless you keep printing your usual lies and repeat.
I so agree with what you’ve said. The only place I differ is when people say or suggest that the Sussexes “followed the BM’s advice” about leaving. I don’t think the Sussexes were kicked out, or took advice from the BM or (some) Brits to leave. Like any reasonable adults, I think they saw what was going on, that it didn’t bode well for the future of their kids, and decided on what was best for the family. That’s it, their decision. That’s why the BM was so shocked at the time of the decision, and still can’t believe everything’s changed – all before they got the chance to pay for that vacation cottage Sussex news was allowing them to indulge in.
They keep forgetting the reason they don’t know when the Sussex will come back to the us is because it’s none of their damm business. PRIVATE CITIZEN CALL THEIR OWN SHOTS. Also it’s not like the queen is under any obligation to tell them or the courtiers or even anyone in that family how often she sees Harry and his family. We don’t even know and the petty in me hope that the answer is never if the keenbridges have ever seen Kiki. I will keep praying that the answer to that is a f no. Maybe they were generous one day and introduced her to Charles and Camilla. It would be ,ore than they deserve but the Sussex are nicer than me.
They keep forgetting the reason they don’t know when the Sussex will come back to the us is because it’s none of their damm business. PRIVATE CITIZEN CALL THEIR OWN SHOTS. Also it’s not like the queen is under any obligation to tell them or the courtiers or even anyone in that family how often she sees Harry and his family. We don’t even know and the petty in me hope that the answer is never if the keenbridges have ever seen Kiki. I will keep praying that the answer to that is a f no. Maybe they were generous one day and introduced her to Charles and Camilla. It would be ,ore than they deserve but the Sussex are nicer than me.
Why does the BM always put the meeting on H&M? It’s as if it’s unfathomable to them that brf do the traveling. Even precovid, you go see a new baby, you don’t expect that baby to come to you.
Yes, they should do exactly that. Let the royals go to Montecito. I predict that Diana’s sisters and friends and Eugenie would definitely come. Not so much the others–only those who really love and care for the Sussexes (as it should be).
**MAJOR PROJECTION ALERT***
I personally identify far too much with Meghan’s ideals and previous writings and as a result of that, I see her (like me) as less “religious” and more spiritual. I felt like her conversion and church efforts w Archie and the wedding and all was more for the BRF/the in-laws than her…I feel like she and Harry have always secretly shared the secular spirit and choose to raise their children in the less restrictive and judge mental mindset than that of conservative Christianity. Now that they live in CA they can do it quietly and their own way without the harsh glare of media attention.
I sense the palace contacted them about this but got no reply hence why they’re leaking this right after that fake report about Harry coming back with film crews(which didn’t get much traction)!!!
Considering that neither Zara Philips or Eugenie & Jack’s son August haven’t had there’s YET it’s very likely they will schedule it for early next year or something. I think they’ll return just before their frogmore tenancy ends in March to do it+finalise their permanent exit from little England. I think omid’s recent comments are totally true because they’re likely to focus more on American & international philanthropy work now
EVERYTHING the members of the UnRoyal Family do is performative, including going to church. The Queen was too busy to attend Archie or Louis christening. I guess their too far down the line of succession. In the photo, William looked like he wanted to be somewhere else and Kate had to sit down while everyone else stood. Why can’t adults seem to understand that the nation is still in the grips of a deadly pandemic. No caring parent wants to expose their children to adults – masked or unmasked. A small ceremony in a church or via ZOOM is suitable. Due to attendance limitations, funerals are held in NYC via ZOOM. It would be nice if Diana’s sisters are part of the ceremony to reunite with Doria. Personally, I’d love for it to be in CA so Thomas Markle can’t use the travel restrictions as an excuse as to why he didn’t attend. He’s NOT INVITED.