Sources report that Baby Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor is to be baptized on July 6th, but that the public and press will have no part in the ceremony.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan and Harry, have announced that the event is to be completely private. The couple's wishes are being met with both understanding from some and criticism from others.
Given the fact that the public hasn't seen many photos of baby Archie (other than the birth photoshoot and two Instagram pictures that didn't show his full face), the announcement has a lot of people frustrated. With all of the news surrounding Archie's upcoming birth, many people were expecting more in terms of how he is doing, or at least his hair colour. Meghan and Harry seem very adamant on keeping Archie out of the public eye for the most part, at least for now.
While a lot of people are respecting the Royals' right to privacy, Forbes states that according to tradition, the royal family is obligated to include their subjects in information surrounding marriages, births, baptisms, and funerals.
In addition, the couple is using roughly $3 million dollars in British tax-payers' money to remodel their home and therefore, many argue, they should at least let the public in on the royal events surrounding the new baby. In saying that, is it fair that the pair has to sacrifice their privacy because of their status?
The Telegraph says that "the Duke and Duchess have [also] opted not to use a 'His Royal Highness' style of address for Archie, and he will not take a courtesy title in line with their wishes. But as the first-born son of Prince Harry and his new wife, Archie's formal entrance into the Church of England is an important event for royal watchers around the world."
Although Meghan and Harry will reportedly release photos of the baptism on July 7th, it doesn't seem good enough for royal followers. Harry and Meghan are notorious for going against the flow of royal protocol and tradition but should be commended for doing what they feel is best for their son regardless of his status.
As the anticipation builds as we await the photo release of baby Archie's big day, both the press and the public should respect that, although frustrating, the family should have a right to privacy if they wish to have it.