Why Privacy Over Publicity: The Sussexes' Decision for Archie's Christening

While the public clamored for photos of the three Cambridge children, from Prince George's hospital stay to his sweet photos on special occasions, one couple, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, took a different approach. Fed up with media hounding and false reports about their personal lives and first child's potential struggles, the Sussexes opted to keep Archie's christening a private affair. This decision has sparked controversy among those who believe in full public engagement and media interest.

Privacy vs. Publicity: A Two-Legged Stool

Prince George, currently third in line to the throne, inevitably attracts more attention and media scrutiny. However, for Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, the situation is different. seventh in line to the throne, Archie's significance is less immediate due to changes in the line of succession, making a public christening less critical.

When it comes to other royals, such as Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, there was minimal fuss during their births because their positions in the line of succession were not as secure as those of the Cambridges. Similarly, the christening of Prince Louis was a very private affair, and the christening of Princess Charlotte was relatively low-key. These examples illustrate that the level of media interest often depends on the child's position in the line of succession.

The Sussexes' Decision: A Balanced Move

The Sussexes made a conscious decision to keep Archie's christening a private event for several reasons. Firstly, they didn't want the media circus that typically accompanies the christening of a royal heir. Secondly, they understood that focusing on their headlines might detract from the attention they wanted to draw to the Cambridges.

There were only two deviations from the conventional practices during the christening preparations. The first was the complete absence of photos before the ceremony, and the second was the lack of public godparents. The christening was a purely private affair, which is not without precedent. For instance, the christening of Prince Louis was handled much more privately, and the treatment of Princess Charlotte's christening was similarly discreet.

Public Reaction and Controversy

However, this decision has not gone without controversy. While Harry and Meghan believed in maintaining a certain level of privacy for their child, some remain frustrated with the lack of media presence. The reasons for this frustration are multifaceted: media hounding, misinformation, and the lack of public interest.

The Sussexes' approach to revealing information was also a point of contention. They kept the media in the dark about the birth and contacted the press only when necessary. This included an embargo on information about which hospital was chosen and when Archie was born. Even Doria Ragland, who was in the UK during the christening week, managed to stay under the radar, further emphasizing the Sussexes' desire for privacy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sussexes' decision to keep Archie's christening private was a strategic choice that balanced their need for privacy and the public's interest in royal affairs. While some may view this as a lack of engagement, others appreciate the balance they struck. As the monarchy continues to evolve, the balance between maintaining privacy and engaging the public will undoubtedly be a topic of ongoing discussion.