But what would be a non private Christening? The royal family never have cameras or photographers for the papers in the church or chapels. That happens in some (mainly Scandinavian) families but never here. What we are missing is the arrivals and departures and probably the names of the parents which aren't exactly necessary and we haven't always had arrivals etc for all working royals either. We get the photos we normally get and probably along with some "arty farty" personal shots later.
If titled royals usually filmed the service for the public I could understand the upset, but they don't. I would personally say release the names of the godparents but they've asked to be kept private so that's that. It's not like we see them interacting with him (unless another RF member) anyway.
Sure, and a lot of parish churches try to include it in the Sunday service for this reason, but some are held after the service or on a different day with just friends and family, just as Archie is having. It's not secret, it's just for friends and family. No one demanded to see pictures of Meghan's adult baptism last year or ask if she had a sponsor for it.
I hope his godparents interact with Archie as he grows up and are there for him spiritually (mine definitely weren't) but I don't think it damages the sacrament if the rest of the world doesn't find out.
If titled royals usually filmed the service for the public I could understand the upset, but they don't. I would personally say release the names of the godparents but they've asked to be kept private so that's that. It's not like we see them interacting with him (unless another RF member) anyway.
The welcoming of a child into the community of the Christian Church, is a public act, and declaration of Faith.
Similarly the identity of those charged with caring for that child's spiritual well-being, is [generally] 'on public record', in the relevant baptismal registers.
That the Parents and the God-parents should seek to keep this 'private' betrays a total misunderstanding of the rite of Baptism, and of the Church into which this child is being received.
Sure, and a lot of parish churches try to include it in the Sunday service for this reason, but some are held after the service or on a different day with just friends and family, just as Archie is having. It's not secret, it's just for friends and family. No one demanded to see pictures of Meghan's adult baptism last year or ask if she had a sponsor for it.
I hope his godparents interact with Archie as he grows up and are there for him spiritually (mine definitely weren't) but I don't think it damages the sacrament if the rest of the world doesn't find out.
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