Six-week-old Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor shared on their Royal Instagram account. Photo / @SussexRoyal
Six-week-old Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor shared on their Royal Instagram account. Photo / @SussexRoyal
Meghan Markle's estranged father has spoken of his desire to have been at Archie's christening as he wished his grandson nothing but "health and happiness".
Thomas Markle, 74, has never met his son-in-law Prince Harry and was not invited to today's christening at Windsor Castle, reports Daily Mail.
He said he would have enjoyed being at the celebration because he has been a member of the Anglican Church since childhood, describing it as the "Queen's church".
His former wife Doria Ragland, Meghan's mother, was pictured in the official photograph released today as one of the select few guests invited to the ceremony.
Speaking from his home in Rosarito Beach, Mexico, the retired Hollywood lighting director told The Mail on Sunday: "I have been asked if I would have liked to have gone to Britain to see my new grandson being christened.
"I was an altar boy at age 12, a confirmed member of the Queen's church at age 14, and Archie is my new grandson, so of course I would have enjoyed being there for the blessing, wishing Archie and his parents health and happiness."
Mr Markle missed last year's Royal Wedding after suffering two heart attacks. He also fell out with his daughter and Harry when he admitted posing for paparazzi pictures in a misguided attempt to change his "schlubby" image.
Mr Markle claimed he only allowed the photographs to be taken because he was left unable to fend for himself against an onslaught of global media attention.
Since then, he has repeatedly apologised for the pictures but the hoped-for rapprochement with his daughter has failed to materialise. Mr Markle has continued to attempt to heal the rift but without success, and has criticised the couple for refusing to speak to him or return his telephone calls.
The official christening photo released by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Photo / AP
Mr Markle grew up in working- class Newport, Pennsylvania, where he attended the Episcopal Church of the Nativity.
Meghan was not christened as a child because her yoga-teaching mother Doria did not share Mr Markle's Anglican beliefs.
The pair married in 1979 at the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, which is dedicated to the teachings of Indian yogi and guru Paramahansa Yogananda. He encouraged followers to use breathing and meditation as a "path to enlightenment".
The couple split when Meghan was just two years old.
Before her wedding in May last year, Meghan was baptised and confirmed into the Church of England by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who also conducted today's service.
Mr Markle's statements came as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they "feel fortunate" to have enjoyed their son's christening with his godparents who have not yet been revealed.
Proud parents Harry and Meghan finally gave a glimpse into two-month-old Archie's big day today, releasing pictures on social media hours after the top secret ceremony took place in Windsor as they wanted to 'share the joy' of the special occasion.
The royal couple shared two snaps from the event with their near 9 million followers, posting that they felt "so happy to share the joy of this day with members of the public" and thanking supporters for their kindness.
It comes after a backlash over their insistence that the ceremony would remain private and the identities of Archie's godparents would not be revealed.
A photo in black-and-white shows Meghan dressed in white as she cradles baby Archie and her proud husband looks at their baby son. Photo / AP
A few hours after the ceremony in Windsor, Meghan, 37, and Prince Harry, 34, released an official image in which they posed alongside the Duchess of Cornwall, The Prince of Wales, Doria Ragland, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duchess of Cambridge in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.
In a touching tribute to Harry's mother, Princess Diana's sisters Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale were prominent in the official picture.
Just 25 guests were present at the baptism today, which saw Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor christened in a private chapel at Windsor Castle, but the couple only released photographs celebrating with their immediate family. Archie is seventh in line to the throne and not an HRH.
As well as including Diana's sisters in the snap, the proud parents also paid tribute to Archie's grandmother by sitting on the same green chair with gold detailing that Diana and the Queen sat on for Harry's official christening photographs.
The royal couple have faced growing backlash surrounding the event, as they insisted it be kept private, despite recently billing the public $4.5million to renovate Frogmore cottage.
Alongside the two pictures from the event, which only featured close family members, they wrote: "This morning, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was christened in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle at an intimate service officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, during a photocall with their newborn son, May 8, 2019. Photo / AP
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are so happy to share the joy of this day with members of the public who have been incredibly supportive since the birth of their son. They thank you for your kindness in welcoming their first born and celebrating this special moment.
"Their Royal Highnesses feel fortunate to have enjoyed this day with family and the godparents of Archie. "
The post shared on the Sussexroyal account went on: "Their son, Archie, was baptised wearing the handmade replica of the royal christening gown which has been worn by royal infants for the last 11 years.
"The original Royal Christening Robe, made of fine Honiton lace lined with white satin, was commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1841 and first worn by her eldest daughter.
"It was subsequently worn for generations of Royal christenings, including The Queen, her children and her grandchildren until 2004, when The Queen commissioned this handmade replica, in order for the fragile historic outfit to be preserved, and for the tradition to continue."
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson also said: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to share the happiness of this day, and would like to thank everyone around the world for their ongoing support. They feel so fortunate to have enjoyed this special moment with family and Archie's godparents."
Godparents of royal babies are traditionally announced beforehand - often on the morning of the christening - and conventionally elderly or foreign relatives were selected.
