When is baby Archie’s christening, what’s the venue and what music have Meghan and Harry chosen?
5 July 2019, 19:12 | Updated: 5 July 2019, 19:14
As we await details of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor’s christening, we ponder what music Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might pick for the ceremony on Saturday 6 July.
Royal baby, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, will be christened this Saturday 6 July, exactly two months after he was born.
With only one day to go and little known about the ceremony - including who will be attending - we’re enjoying guessing what music the Duke and Duchess of Sussex might incorporate into the day.
What music have Meghan and Harry chosen for Archie’s christening?
Due to their choice to keep as much of Archie’s christening ceremony private as possible, not much is known about how things will run on the day, including what music will be heard.
Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Prelude on ‘Rhosymedre’ was played at the christening of Archie’s cousin, Prince Louis, as the family entered Chapel Royal for the ceremony. Touchingly, the piece is one that featured at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011.
They also picked the Hymns ‘O Jesus, I Have Promised’ and ‘Lord of All Hopefulness’ to be part of their son Louis’ christening.
If Harry and Meghan were to do the same for Archie’s christening, they could go with a passage of Vaughan Williams as well – the Fantasia on Greensleeves, which was played at their own wedding.
Elgar’s ‘Salut d’amour’ also made an appearance at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s big day, as did Schubert’s ‘Ave Maria’, Fauré’s ‘Après un rêve’ and Paradis’ Sicilienne, all performed beautifully by cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason who received “a lovely letter” from Meghan and Harry thanking him after he performed.
Read more: What music was played at the Royal Wedding?
Archie’s other cousin, Prince George, had Bach’s Fantasia in G, and Widor’s Toccata from Symphony No. 5 played at his christening. The hymns were ‘Breathe on Me, Breath of God’ and ‘Be Thou My Vision’.
John Rutter’s anthems, ‘I Will Sing With The Spirit’ and ‘God Be In My Head’ were part of Princess Charlotte’s christening.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason Performance - Royal Wedding 2018
When is baby Archie’s christening?
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor’s christening takes place tomorrow, Saturday 6 July – exactly two months after Archie was born.
The timing of his christening is very similar to that of both Prince George and Princess Charlotte, Archie’s cousins.
Read more: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcome a baby boy
Read more: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex name their baby Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor
What venue have Meghan and Harry chosen for the event?
Archie Harrison will be christened at Windsor Castle’s private chapel, the same place his parents, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, were married on 19 May 2018.
It will be a small ceremony kept largely private, with the identity of Archie’s godparents kept secret.
Read more: Prince George's christening: music and pictures
Who are Archie’s godparents?
Buckingham Palace has not confirmed who the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have chosen to be Archie’s godparents, saying that the couple have chosen to keep this detail secret.
Who is going to Archie’s christening?
News and rumours of who will and will not be attending Archie’s christening have been flying around for weeks.
There are reports that Her Majesty the Queen will not be attending, and there’s also speculation about various other members of the royal family and their choices not to attend.
In the meantime, take a look back at all the beautiful music associated with the British Monarchy.
