Lilibet could be christened in US as Britain is ruled out
THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s daughter, Lilibet, will not be christened in Britain, according to royal sources.
It had been suggested the couple would return to Britain to have the fourmonth-old baptised at Windsor Castle like their son, Archie, two.
A palace insider said: “There will not be a christening in the UK. It is not happening.” Another source suggested that it was “highly unlikely”.
The development comes after a spokesman for Harry and Meghan confirmed on Sunday that they would not be flying into Britain to attend a party to honour Diana, Princess of Wales.
Friends of the late Princess, including Sir Elton John, are said to be attending the event at Kensington Palace with the Duke of Cambridge. It is intended to thank donors who helped to fund a statue of Diana that was unveiled in the summer on what would have been her 60th birthday.
Lilibet is likely to be christened into the Episcopal Church of the US, which is a member church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Bishop Michael Curry, who delivered the sermon at the couple’s wedding at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in May 2018, is the head of the Episcopal Church and could officiate.
If baptised in California, where the Sussexes live, their daughter, known as Lili, would not automatically be considered a member of the Church of England until she came to Britain and joined a Church of England congregation. Anyone can say they are a member of the Church of England if they worship in a Church of England church and are not a member of an incompatible religion.
A member of the Royal family does not need to be baptised to remain in the line of succession. However, Catholics cannot remain in the line of succession.
The Duchess of Sussex, 40, who was raised a Christian, underwent a private baptism officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury to become a member of the Church of England before her wedding.
The Church of England declined to comment. A spokesman for the Sussexes said the plans for the christening were being finalised and that claims to the contrary were “mere speculation”.