‘ Archie needs a private life – but to guard it so obsessively is unnecessary’
l ast saturday, in the Queen’s private chapel at Windsor, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex christened their first born son: two-month-old Archie.
In direct contrast to their lavish public wedding, the ceremony was a small, closed affair with around 25 guests, thought to include Prince Charles and Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland, and no media or members of the public present.
The royal couple agreed to release images from the christening – after the event. In the days running up to the ceremony, conducted by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, they stated that the names of Archie’s godparents would also remain private.
This marked a departure from Prince William and Kate Middleton’s stance – they invited the media to the christening of all their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and revealed their godparents’ names, keeping only the ceremonies themselves private.
While criticism has been directed at Meghan for her rejection of royal protocol since she and Harry married, this particular rebellion is, in fact, entirely driven by Prince Harry, Grazia has learned.
‘ This is all down to Harry,’ says our source. ‘He doesn’t want Archie exposed to the same media scrutiny he endured when he was growing up. Meghan has no understanding of what it was like for him in the spotlight and he wants to protect Archie from the same fate.’
Indeed, royal biographer Ingrid Seward tells Grazia, ‘Harry remembers his own childhood, when he witnessed his mother being chased by photographers shouting obscenities at her to try and get a photograph of her looking angry and upset.’
More recently, says Ingrid, the treatment of his wife has deeply affected the prince. ‘Marriage to Meghan has changed him and I can only assume it is because he is sensitive to the criticism she has received since she married him. He is doing his best to protect her and their son.’
Much has been made of the couple’s dedication to raising Archie as a ‘private citizen’, rejecting an official royal title for their son, and releasing only a handful of artfully taken photographs of him. ‘ They want Archie to live an “ordinary life”, have a good education and earn a living for himself,’ says a friend. ‘ This isn’t a total ban on access to Archie, but Harry wants a media blackout so he can live life how he wants to.’
This also reflects Meghan and Harry’s desire for a more normal routine. The couple have set up a quiet domestic paradise within the refurbished Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate. Despite press reports last week that the couple have got through three nannies in six weeks, Grazia has learned that the one nanny they have leaves at night so Meghan and Harry can be hands on.
‘However, the extent of their desire for privacy is causing concerns,’ says Ingrid. ‘He and Meghan have drawn a line around their private life. Everyone understands Archie needs a private life, but to guard it with such obsession seems a little unnecessary.’
When Harry and Meghan travel to South Africa soon they are taking Archie with them, but will we be allowed to see him?’
The public have become so used to Prince William and Kate giving the public access to their family life, Harry and Meghan’s reluctance to share their lives, and their son, appears to be adding to the backlash.
The Sussexes are said to want to prioritise fundraising and raising awareness of new charities. ‘ Whatever they do, the interest in their lives will not abate,’ says Ingrid Seward. ‘If they want to get their philanthropic messages across, they will need public support and the press to do so.’