Harry and Meghan’s Secret Ceremony: Princess Lilibet Diana Christened in LA with Absent Royals
Last week, Lilibet, the daughter of PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle, was christened in a small ceremony in California.
On March 3, approximately 25 guests gathered to celebrate the occasion; members of the Royal Family were invited but declined to attend, according to PEOPLE.
According to a source, the Sussexes reportedly asked King Charles, Camilla, Prince William, and Kate to attend, but they declined.
Instead, their three-year-old son Archie, Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland, Lili’s godfather Tyler Perry, and between 20 and 30 close friends joined them.
Following the ceremony, they reportedly enjoyed an afternoon of food and dancing at their home.
A representative for the couple told PEOPLE, “I can confirm that Princess Lilibet Diana was christened on March 3 by the Rev. John Taylor, the Archbishop of Los Angeles.”
This is the first time in public that Lili has been referred to as a princess.
It is expected that the 21-month-old will use the title in formal settings but not in everyday conversation.
Harry and Meghan’s Secret Ceremony: Princess Lilibet Diana Christened in LA with Absent Royals. Harry and Meg are rumored to be adamant about not denying their children their birthright, but giving them the option to drop or retain their titles as they grow older.
As the offspring of a son of a sovereign, Archie and Lili are automatically princes and princesses and may now use the HRH style if they so choose.
When Archie was born in May of 2019, he was seventh in line for the throne, which placed him too far down the succession line.
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Although he was a great-grandchild of the monarch, he was not the eldest son of a future king, and therefore was not automatically a prince.
A royal insider told The Mirror that the King was informed of Harry and Meghan’s intention to use the titles in formal settings beginning in March 2023.
The royal website, which currently lists the children as Master Archie and Miss Lilibet, will be updated to reflect the change, according to Buckingham Palace.
Perry, the godfather of Lilibet, allegedly flew a 10-member gospel choir from Atlanta to Montecito, California, for the baptism.
The group performed Oh Happy Day and This Little Light of Mine, which was also performed at the 2018 wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Traditionally, a royal baptism is held in the historic chapels of Buckingham Palace or Windsor.
On July 6, 2019, Archie was christened at eight weeks old in a private ceremony attended by approximately 25 people at Windsor Castle.
He wore a special royal gown, as did many young royals before him, including his cousins George, Charlotte, and Louis.
Unless flown over especially, Lilibet is unlikely to have worn the same outfit.
Doria, Charles, Camilla, William, and Kate attended Archie’s special day, but the Queen and Prince Philip were absent because they had already made plans to spend the week at Sandringham.
Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, sisters of Princess Diana, were also included in the official christening photograph.
On December 21, 1984, Harry was christened at St. George’s Chapel, where he later married Meghan.
