Royal baby: Everything you need to know about Archie’s christening

Royal christenings are steeped in tradition

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, is due to be christened later this week.

The two-month-old baby's christening will be a private affair, attended by a small group of people.

Photographs of the event will be released through the media and social media following the ceremony.

Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming christening:

When is it taking place?

Archie is due to be christened on Saturday 6 July.

The date of the baby's christening marks exactly two months after his birth, on Monday 6 May.

Archie's christening will take place three days before the first anniversary of Prince Louis' christening, which was held on Monday 9 July last year.

Where is it going to be held?

The christening of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's son will be held in the private chapel at Windsor Castle.

The choice of location is especially poignant for the royal couple, who exchanged their vows in St George's Chapel at the castle on 19 May 2018.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's sons, Prince George and Prince Louis, were christened at The Chapel Royal in St James's Palace, London.

Meanwhile, Princess Charlotte was christened at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham.

Archie will follow in the footsteps of his father by being christened at Windsor Castle, whose own christening took place at the royal residence in 1984.

Prince William's christening was held in the music room of Buckingham Palace, as was the christening of his father, Prince Charles.

Who will attend the christening?

The private ceremony is to be attended by a small gathering of people, Buckingham Palace confirmed.

The group of family and close friends will consist of no more than 25 people.

It is unknown whether Queen Elizabeth II will be present at the christening.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh did not attend the christening of Prince Louis last year, a decision which was agreed between the monarch and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge prior to the proceedings.

However, the Queen was present for the christenings of Prince George in 2013 and Princess Charlotte in 2015.

Who are Archie's godparents?

In a statement released on Wednesday 3 July, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the identities of Archie's godparents will remain private.

Nonetheless, speculation has remained rife over who they will be.

Names mentioned in conversations about potential godparents have included fashion stylist Jessica Mulroney, whose children had a starring role in the duchess' bridal party; tennis star Serena Williams, who is a close friend of Meghan; and Hollywood actor George Clooney, who attended last year's royal wedding with his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.

However, Clooney appeared to debunk the rumour that he was to be named godfather while appearing on American talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! in May.

"That would be a bad idea," the actor said, when asked whether he would be named godfather.

"I'm a father of twins and I can barely do that."

What will the baby wear for the christening?

Archie will likely wear a special gown for his christening which has been worn by several of his relatives before him.

The Honiton christening gown is a replica of a gown which was commissioned by Queen Victoria for the christening of her first-born child, Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa.

The original gown, which was made from white silk with a handmade lace overlay, was worn by 62 royal babies over the course of its 163 year history.

The replica of the garment was created in 2011 and designed by the Queen's personal wardrobe advisor, Angela Kelly.

It has been worn by all three of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's children.

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