The christening of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor at Windsor Castle today will be very different from similar royal ceremonies in recent years.
And, of course, it will also be very different from the thousands of christenings which take place across the UK every year.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry wish for the event to be private and details such as the names of godparents will not be released.
Royal baptisms have traditionally been private affairs.
However in recent years cameras have been allowed to capture the arrivals of the family and their guests – as happened with all three Cambridge children — George, Charlotte and Louis.
Archie's godparents
It's standard practice for babies to have three godparents – but royals often have more
Prince Louis has six, Prince George has seven and Princess Charlotte has five.
Speculation is rife that Meghan's best friend, the Canadian stylist Jessica Mulroney, will be chosen while Harry's old schoolmates, brothers Thomas and Charlie van Straubenzee, could be picked.
Tennis star Serena Williams ruled herself out on Thursday after Meghan watched her play at Wimbledon, as she is playing on Saturday.
The Church of England's advice states: "You can have as many godparents as you wish, but every child should have at least three, two of the same sex and at least one of the opposite sex to the child."
When should the christening take place
There is also no hard and fast rule about when the christening should take place.
Prince George was three months old when he was christened with his younger sister Charlotte nine weeks old and Louis 11 weeks. Archie is exactly two months old today.
Harry was baptised at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 21 December 1984 when he was three months and six days old.
Statistics show the number of baptisms performed by the Church of England during this period has declined from 135,000 in 2009 to just under 93,000 by 2017, reports the BBC.
Archie to wear royal christening gown
In keeping with tradition Archie is expected to be baptised in the royal christening gown.
The replica of the intricate lace and satin gown made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter has been used for royal infants for the last 11 years.
Archie’s cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis all wore the frilly cream outfit for their christenings, as did Zara and Mike Tindall’s daughters Mia and Lena.
It was created by the Queen’s dresser Angela Kelly and the team of dressmakers at Buckingham Palace, and features the same lengthy skirt and elaborate collars and bow as its predecessor.
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