Close pals of Meghan and Harry’s ‘likely to be Archie’s godparents’ as bid to keep names secret sparks backlash

MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry's refusal to reveal the identity of baby Archie's godparents has sparked a royal backlash.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released details about the christening, revealing the highly anticipated ceremony will take place in private on Saturday.

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Meghan and Harry are keeping tight-lipped about who the godparents will be, with the secrecy causing controversy.

TV cameras are also not allowed into the service, at the Queen's Private Chapel in Windsor Castle.

A source those who are chosen as godparents will be "friends of theirs, close and old friends, who are private citizens and the couple want to honour that".

People are largely sympathetic about their clear desire to bring Archie up out of the public spotlight as much as possible. But a christening is something very different

Royal source

A senior royal source criticised the couple's decision to not make the names public, The Mail reports.

The source said: "People are largely sympathetic about their clear desire to bring Archie up out of the public spotlight as much as possible.

"But a christening is something very different. Archie’s great-grandmother is head of the Church of England and he is still very high up in the line of succession.

"You can’t have it both ways. There is a feeling that this doesn’t look very good at all."

POSSIBLE GODPARENTS

One possible godmother is Meghan's LA friend Benita Litt, whose daughters were bridesmaids at Harry and Meghan's wedding.

Another American, Lindsay Roth - at whose wedding Meghan was her bridesmaid - could also be picked.

Harry's childhood chum Jake Warren, whose two-year-old daughter Zalie, was a bridesmaid at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding, is hotly tipped.

And Mark Dyer, a former Welsh Guards officer who is close to Harry and whose son Jasper is the prince's godson, could also get the nod.

But according to The Daily Mail, Meghan's Canadian friend Jessica Mulroney and tennis legend Serena Williams won't be asked to be godmother.

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The new parents also announced they will release official photos from the day some time in the future.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will christen the royal baby at the Private Chapel in Windsor Castle, and the couple have asked photographer Chris Allerton to take pictures.

A statement, released by Buckingham Palace today, reads: "Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor will be christened in a small private ceremony by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday 6 July.

"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex look forward to sharing some images taken on the day by photographer Chris Allerton.

"The godparents, in keeping with their wishes, will remain private."

The couple are determined to keep their son a “private citizen”, with sources confirming they plan a media-free baptism.

The service will only be witnessed by around 25 guests,  reported.

It is in stark contrast to Prince William and Kate Middleton who invited the media to the christening of all three of their children, keeping only the ceremony itself private.

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Archie - who was born on May 6 - will be two months old when he's doused from the lily font with water from the River Jordan.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall are said to be leading the party, alongside Kate Middleton and Prince William.

But there's one important person who won't be there - the Queen. Prior commitments mean she'll have to give it a miss.

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