Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Have Secret Christening for Daughter Lilibet in the U.S.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are currently residing in their $14 million Santa Barbara mansion after stepping back from royal duties last year, are reportedly planning a secret christening for their daughter Lilibet.

According to a royal expert, the couple will be doing things their own way with Lilibet, opting for a christening in Meghan's home state of California, away from the controversy that surrounded Archie's christening.

Unlike their previous publicized events, the couple has chosen to keep their daughter's image away from the public eye.

This decision reflects their desire to assert their independence and maintain control over their personal lives.

While there were initial reports suggesting that Lilibet would be christened at Windsor in front of the Queen, it seems that the couple has decided to go against tradition and have a more private ceremony.

Sources close to the couple had previously indicated that they were planning for Lilibet's christening to take place at Windsor, similar to her brother Archie's christening.

However, royal biographer Angela Levin pointed out that Prince Harry's expectation for the Queen to attend the christening puts her in a difficult position.

Given that she has missed other recent royal christenings, it would be unreasonable to expect her to attend this one.

Meghan Markle, who attended a Catholic high school, was baptized and confirmed into the Church of England in a private ceremony conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

The intimate 45-minute service took place at the Chapel Royal in 2018 and was kept under tight wraps, with only a handful of royal aides involved.

This mirrored the approach taken by the Duchess of Cambridge, who had a private confirmation after her engagement to Prince William.

In contrast, Archie's christening in 2019 was shrouded in unprecedented secrecy.

The ceremony, conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at St George's Chapel in Windsor, only had 25 invited guests, excluding the Queen.

The couple faced criticism for their decision to keep the ceremony private and not reveal the names of Archie's godparents, which is a departure from the usual tradition.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on the other hand, allowed the media to cover their children's christenings and released family photographs afterward.

This stark difference in approach highlights the varying perspectives within the royal family when it comes to balancing privacy and public expectations.

Turning to the name of Prince Harry and Meghan's newborn daughter, Lilibet Lily Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, it carries significant meaning for the couple.

Lilibet serves as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, whose family nickname is Lilibet.

The name has a sentimental connection to her childhood when she struggled to pronounce Elizabeth, and it was used by her father, King George VI.

Additionally, Lily's middle name, Diana, honors Prince Harry's late mother, Princess Diana.

However, the absence of Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, in Lilibet's name has raised eyebrows.

Doria, who has a close bond with Meghan, was present on her wedding day and stayed in the UK for Archie's christening.

It was surprising to see her omitted from the names, as it would have been a meaningful gesture to honor the strong women in their lives.

The decision to exclude Doria's name, along with the couple's desire to distance themselves from the royal institution, has led to speculation about their intentions.

While some view it as a contradiction, others believe it reflects their desire for independence and control over their own lives.

Prince Harry and Meghan are currently taking time out in the U.S. to focus on their family.

They have signed lucrative contracts with streaming platforms Netflix and Spotify, indicating their intention to pursue new ventures outside of the royal sphere.

This period of parental leave allows them to prioritize their two young children and enjoy a more private life away from the public spotlight.

In conclusion, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to have a secret christening for their daughter Lilibet reflects their desire for privacy and control over their personal lives.

The choice to hold the ceremony in Meghan's home state of California signifies their independence from royal traditions.

While their approach differs from that of other members of the royal family, it is a testament to their determination to forge their own path.