Royal baby: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to christen baby Archie next Saturday

Olivia Tobin2 July 2019

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have announced they are going to christen their new-born son Archie next Saturday.

The new parents said Archie will be christened at a private ceremony.

The ceremony is due to take place on Saturday, exactly two months after Archie was born on May 6.

It is understood that pictures of the ceremony will be released on Sunday through the media and Harry and Meghan's Instagram account.

Royal christenings are usually private affairs, with invitations extending only to close family and friends, and chosen godparents.

First glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan's newborn son - In pictures

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But the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have let photographers capture pictures of them and their children, family members and guests arriving before holding private services.

Both Prince George and Prince Louis were christened at the Chapel Royal in London.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed the name of their son on Wednesday as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
PA

Princess Charlotte's ceremony was held at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, in Norfolk, where the paddock outside the churchyard was opened to the public.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, who married Harry and Meghan, is usually called upon to perform the service.

The decision to hold a private ceremony comes after it emerged £2.4 million of taxpayers' money had been spent renovating the couple's residence Frogmore Cottage.

The property, close to Windsor Castle, underwent major work to turn five properties back into a single residence for the couple and their baby son Archie - with all fixtures and fittings paid for privately by the duke and duchess.

It is likely that they installed a luxury kitchen and bathroom, and it has reportedly been designed by Harry and Meghan, with dining and entertaining in mind and with extra bedrooms to accommodate guests, such as the duchess's mother, Doria Ragland.

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