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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Inside Lilibet’s intimate christening - royal snub, celeb guests and Archie dancing

After months of speculation, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have finally christened their daughter Princess Lilibet.

The youngster, who turns two in June, was baptised in California despite reports her parents might have brought her to the UK for the ceremony.

The special day took place last Friday - with the event being described as small and intimate and seemingly worlds away from the christening of her big brother Prince Archie.

But who was invited to the christening? Who was picked to take the coveted roles of godparents? And what kind of celebration took place after the service? Here we take a look...

Venue

Lilibet with brother Archie and parents Harry and Meghan (alexilubomirski/Instagram)
The christening took place at Harry and Meghan's Montecito home (Getty Images for 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala)

Big brother Archie may have been christened in the grand surroundings of Windsor Castle - but when it came to Lilibet, the ceremony was in much more familiar territory.

This is because it took place at the Sussexes family home in Montecito, California - and she becomes one of the few royal babies to have been christened outside of the UK.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes said: "I can confirm that Princess Lilibet Diana was christened on Friday, March 3 by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor."

Guest list

William and Kate with Charles and Camilla, who declined an invitation to the christening (Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

The guest list for the event was kept to a minimum with an insider telling PEOPLE that there were around 20 to 30 people at the intimate gathering.

Those present for the ceremony alongside Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet were Meghan's mum Doria and their friend and filmmaker Tyler Perry.

However, it is believed that Harry's father King Charles and older brother Prince William declined an invitation to the event.

American sources claimed Queen Camilla and Kate were also invited to the service along with the King and William.

Meghan with her mum Doria (PA)

Buckingham Palace declined to confirm, saying it was a private family matter.

But an insider told the Mirror: "To have the two most senior royals and their wives fly to the States for Lilibet’s christening would have been a massive operation both in terms of security and planning.

"Under the cardinal rule for royal travel, Charles and William cannot fly together so it would have needed at least two flights to have them attend."

It is unknown if Meghan’s estranged father, Thomas Markle, 78, was invited, although sources told the Mirror he was not.

Godparents

Harry and Meghan's friend Tyler Perry, who revealed he was asked to be Lilibet's godfather (Netflix)

Some of the most important guests to attend the ceremony were Lilibet's godparents, who included Tyler Perry and an unnamed godmother.

Tyler had been spotted flying into California last week last week for a visit to Harry and Meghan's Montecito mansion.

But he had already confirmed that the Sussexes had asked him to be a godfather when speaking on their controversial Netflix docuseries last year.

In it he recalled the moment Harry and Meghan asked him if he would carry out the role - but expressed his reservations if it meant having to travel to the UK for a grand ceremony.

He said: "I take a minute to take that in, and I thought I’d be honoured. I’d absolutely be honoured.

"And I got off the phone, took it all in, then I called them back, I go 'Ah hold on a second, does this mean we got to go over there and do all of that in the church with them and figure all that out, because I don’t want to do that.

"Maybe we can do a little private ceremony here and let that be that and if you have to do it there then it’s OK."

Celebrations and special performance

A picture of Lilibet as a newborn from Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan (Netflix)

Following the christening ceremony, guests were said to be treated to an afternoon of food and dancing at Harry and Meghan's home.

And according to PEOPLE, one guest who very much enjoyed the dancing was Archie who was even seen enjoying a dance with his little sister.

Meanwhile, one of the highlights of the day is believed to have been a performance by a 10-person gospel choir, who flew in from Atlanta for the celebration.

The choir was arranged by godfather Tyler and they performed songs that included "Oh Happy Day" and "This Little Light Of Mine".

Of course, the latter song has great significance for Harry and Meghan as it was performed at their wedding in St George's Chapel in Windsor in May 2018.

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