Christening of Archie Mountbatten-Windsor: July 6th, 2019

[Osipi]

I have a question. From watching previous events that have happened at St. George's Chapel, didn't the people and the photographers and reporters have to be on a list to get access to outside the chapel? If so, then its very possible that no one will be allowed "past the gates" for the christening and it will be a totally private christening with maybe some pictures released on their Instagram later on showing Archie in the Honiton christening gown.

Even here in my own family, when we had christenings, it was a small affair with just the close family and the godparents in attendance. One of my kids ended up being christened in a hospital chapel as I was in the hospital at the time.

[Curryong]

I think you're right about access, Osipi. There would have to be a professional photographer on hand I suppose for the 'official' photos including the group ones.

This article goes through many of the Royal christenings since the future Edward VII's. The vast majority have taken place at St George's at Windsor or in the Private Chapel at BP which was destroyed during the war. Therefore they seem to have been private affairs.

British Royal Christenings: House of Windsor | Unofficial Royalty

[Rudolph]

I think arrival and departure pics are an easy ask. If the Sussexes go completely ‘private’ there will be tons of negative press.

[Ista]

I'm not really expecting anything but the release of one or two of the official photos, and perhaps a less formal, more personal photo on Twitter or Instagram, as we've seen recently. It's a private ceremony, I don't think they need to do anything else.

[theroyalfly]

Whether they go completely private or not, there will still be negative press. I bet photos will just be released on their Insta account which is more personal. I wonder will it be like Lena Tindall's Christening?

[ACO]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

I think arrival and departure pics are an easy ask. If the Sussexes go completely ‘private’ there will be tons of negative press.

They will get negative press regardless. So do what’s best for you. Not like they aren’t releasing pictures. Everyone will see Archie.

[muriel]

I think they are entitled to a completely private christening, with an announcement and some pictures released afterwards.

[Marlo]

I would not be surprised if they will use the PA again for the entrance and departure.

[Heavs]

No doubt that if there are no arrival/departure pictures there will be articles bemoaning the lack of that "ancient." I do think we'll see the official pics of him in the gown and with the family/godparents, possibly with more informal ones ala the Mother's Day/Father's Day ones.

I was just thinking with the press surrounding Ingrid Alexandra's confirmation that we rarely get to hear much if anything of any confirmations in the BRF in the younger generation anyway, yet presumably many if not most of them are confirmed and there's never been any outrage there.

[Marlo]

The world is not going to end if there's no entrance and departure pictures.

[Lilyflo]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

I think arrival and departure pics are an easy ask. If the Sussexes go completely ‘private’ there will be tons of negative press.

There weren't tons of negative press for all the other royal Christenings that were completely private so why should there be for this one?

[theroyalfly]

Originally Posted by Marlo

The world is not going to end if there's no entrance and departure pictures.

Apparently, it is for royal reporters

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Curryong

Depends what you mean by 'private' (in Victorian times) I suppose. This is a painting of the 1842 christening at Windsor of the future Edward VII in 1842. Complete with family, courtiers, foreign royalty, masses of clergy etc.

https://www.rct.uk/collection/405852...841-1910-at-st

Clearly it was not a private family ceremony then.


Who was the last British prince to have a big ceremonial christening ?

[wyevale]

Complete with family, courtiers, foreign royalty, masses of clergy etc.

That WAS Private, by their standards, everyone present was well known to the Family, Courtiers lived 'cheek-by jowl' with them, and [during their three-Months 'on duty'] were in permanent 'waiting', the Clergy attended to their 'spiritual needs' again on a regular basis., and the foreign royalty were 'family'.
What there wasn't was Press intrusion/presence nor any of the Public there...

[theroyalfly]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

Clearly it was not a private family ceremony then.


Who was the last British prince to have a big ceremonial christening ?

Excuse me. If that wasn't private enough for you, what is your definition of "private?"

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by theroyalfly

Excuse me. If that wasn't private enough for you, what is your definition of "private?"

If it were private, there wouldn't be a public painting of it.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

If it were private, there wouldn't be a public painting of it.

Perhaps it was treated like a photograph for the family only and hung within palace walls totally private and over the years, became part and parcel of the Royal Collection as being historic.

We often see photographs in the background taken of the Queen which, perhaps, have never been released to the general public. I wouldn't be quick to say this painting was always in the public domain.

[Heavs]

Originally Posted by Osipi

Perhaps it was treated like a photograph for the family only and hung within palace walls totally private and over the years, became part and parcel of the Royal Collection as being historic.

We often see photographs in the background taken of the Queen which, perhaps, have never been released to the general public. I wouldn't be quick to say this painting was always in the public domain.

I was going to say a painting was pretty much used in the same way as a photograph then. It might have appeared in the papers of the time or might have been kept only as a family memory.

Whilst there were probably more people present it doesn't seem to have been a public occasion/celebration in the way weddings or coronations have been.

If it was filmed for the public the next controversy would be if they were using the Book of Common Prayer or Common Worship (traditional or modern) ala the wedding ceremony.

[theroyalfly]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

If it were private, there wouldn't be a public painting of it.

I don't think there's a public painting whatsoever you call it at that time in history. Royal families, nobles, affluent class--- they commission for a painting for souvenir purposes and not for public consumption.

Of course, that painting in history became public "now" because only because its a piece of history

[Alison H]

I would assume they'll release some group pictures afterwards, like William and Kate did. Christenings here aren't the same sort of big event as weddings are: most people only invite a few close relatives and friends, and royal christenings certainly don't get televised.