The Duke and Duchess of Sussex held their first child’s royal christening on Saturday July 6th, in an intimate and private ceremony in the Queen’s Private Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Following the ceremony the couple released two gorgeous portraits from the special occasion, taken by royal photographer Chris Allerton and shared to the Sussexes’ official Instagram account.
Keeping with tradition, young Archie wore the Honiton lace christening gown, a royal tradition which has been continued by the royal family since the birth of Queen Victoria’s first child Princess Victoria in 1841. Archie wears a replica, after the original gown stopped being used in 2008, and at almost 180 years old, it’s not surprising!
The original gown has seen the baptism of 62 royal babies, including five monarchs: the future Edward VII, George V, Edward VII, George VI and the Queen, as well as Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared two images from Archie’s christening. (Image: Chris Allerton/@SussexRoyal)
In celebration of Archie’s special day we’re taking a look back at some of the most iconic royal christenings throughout the years, from his father Prince Harry’s to his great-grandmother the Queen’s, almost 100 years ago!
archie christening group photo green room
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, 2019
Following Archie’s private ceremony Harry and Meghan shared two images from the day, one intimate, black and white image of the family-of-three and the second, a more traditional group portrait of some of the closest members of their family.
From left to right: The Duchess of Cornwall; Charles, Princes of Wales; Doria Ragland; The Duke of Sussex; Lady Jane Fellowes; The Duchess of Sussex; Master Archie; Lady Sarah McCorquodale; The Duke of Cambridge; The Duchess of Cambridge.
(Image: Chris Allerton / @SussexRoyal)
prince louis laughing christening 2018
Prince Louis of Cambridge, 2018
Just a few days shy of a year before his cousin Archie’s christening, the youngest Cambridge, Prince Louis, was baptised at The Chapel Royal at St James’ Palace in London in July, 2018.
While we were treated to glimpses of family and friends arriving and leaving the chapel, following the special occasion Kensington Palace also shared a bunch of gorgeous snaps of the young royal from traditional group photos taken at Clarence House, to this adorable candid of Louis having a giggle with his mother.
(Image: Matt Porteous / @KensingtonPalace)
princess charlotte christening group 2015
Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, 2015
Many of the newest royals share birthdays very close together, which means many of the christenings happened to be around the same time of year too! With her birthday just four days before baby Archie, Princess Charlotte’s christening was held on July 5th, 2015 at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham.
Kensington Palace shared both a relaxed photograph of the then family-of-four, as well as this family photo taken at the Sandringham Estate. From left to right: Michael Middleton; Pippa Middleton; The Duke of Cambridge; James Middleton; Prince George; Carole Middleton; The Duchess of Cambridge; Princess Charlotte; Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II; The Duchess of Cornwall; The Duke of Edinburgh.
(Image: Getty)
prince george’s christening with prince william and kate middleton 2013
Prince George of Cambridge, 2013
The eldest of the Cambridge children, Prince George, was, like his younger brother, baptised at the Chapel Royal at St James’ Palace on October 23rd, 2013.
The young royal donned the replica Honiton lace gown, while his mother looked gorgeous in an off-white Alexander McQueen ensemble. The first royal to wear the replica gown was Prince Edward’s son James, Viscount Severn, with the last royal baby to wear the original, none other than his older sister Lady Louise Windsor.
(Image: Getty)
princess eugenie christening
Princess Eugenie of York, 1990
Princess Eugenie, Prince Andrew’s second daughter, was the first royal bub to ever have a public baptism.
In December 1990, nine months after her birth, the baptism was held at the iconic St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham – the same location where Princess Charlotte was christened.
(Image: Getty)
princess beatrice baptism 1988
Princess Beatrice of York, 1988
The Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson’s first child, Princess Beatrice, was christened at the Chapel Royal at St James’ Palace in December 1988.
(Image: Getty)
prince harry christening photo 1984
Prince Henry of Wales, 1984
Prince Henry, known to us all most commonly as Prince Harry, was baptised Henry Charles Albert David at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in 1984 – the same venue where he would marry Meghan Markle 34 years later.
Here he’s pictured next to his doting older brother Prince William and sat on his mother’s knee. From left to right: The Queen Mother; Queen Elizabeth II; Prince William; Prince Harry; Diana, Princess of Wales; Charles, Prince of Wales.
(Image: Getty)
prince william christening photo 1982
Prince William of Wales, 1982
He was born second in succession to the throne, and there he’s remained. Prince William was baptised William Arthur Philip Louis in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace on the birthday of his great grandmother, The Queen Mother, on August 4th, 1982.
Here he’s pictured in the Music Room cradled on 21-year-old Princess Diana’s knee, while his paternal grandparents, father and great-grandmother look on adoringly.
(Image: Getty)
peter phillips christening 1977
Peter Phillips, 1977
The Queen’s first grandchild was Peter Phillips, the first child of Anne, Princess Royal. Like his younger cousin Prince William, Peter was baptised in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace on December 22nd, 1977.
According to reports, Anne and her husband at the time Mark Phillips, declined the Queen’s offer to give Peter (and then his younger sister Zara) royal titles, becoming the first legitimate grandchild to a monarch without a title or courtesy title in more than 500 years.
(Image: Getty)
prince charles christening 1948
Prince Charles of Edinburgh, 1948
Prince Charles was the first child of Princess Elizabeth, making him the third in line for the throne when he was born. He was baptised Charles Philip Arthur George in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace by the Archbishop at the time Geoffrey Fisher on December 15, 1948.
(Image: Getty)
princess elizabeth christening 1926
Princess Elizabeth of York, 1926
Queen Elizabeth was born to the Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and at the time was third in line for the throne after her uncle (who eventually abdicated) and her father.
Queen Elizabeth was baptised by the Anglican Archbishop of York in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace on May 29th, 1926.
(Image: Getty)
