Meghan Markle ‘will christen Archie on 4 July Independence Day so her US-based pals can attend’

EVER since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed their first child, Archie, last month, royal fans have been wondering when the new royal’s christening will take place.

And it could be happening in a matter of days, with new reports claiming the Sussexes are planning Archie’s christening on Independence Day, so that Meghan’s American pals can attend.

According to reports in HELLO! magazine, the celebration will be timed around the Independence Day (July 4) bank holiday in the US.

This allows Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland, as well as American friends Serena Williams and Jessica Mulroney to attend, the publication reports.

The 39-year-old stylist – who is Meghan’s best friend – is rumoured to have been chosen as one of Archie’s godparents.

American designer Misha Nonoo and Harry’s school friends Alexander Gilkes and Jake Warren are also thought to be in the running.

And with Serena already in the UK for Wimbledon, it certainly seems like a good time to plan the celebration.

Earlier this month, The Sunday Times also reported that Archie would be baptised in July.

Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, are said to have chosen St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle for the special occasion.

The venue is particularly poignant for the couple, who married there in May 2018 – and it’s also where Harry was baptised back in 1984.

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.

But there’s one important person who won’t be there – the Queen – who already has prior arrangements.

This isn’t the first time the Queen has skipped a great-grandchild’s baptism.

While she attended Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s christenings, she wasn’t able to attend Prince Louis’ last year.

Archie’s baptism is thought to be following in royal tradition, with the tot wearing a replica of the Honiton lace gown.

The original piece was commissioned by Queen Victoria for the christening of her first child Princess Victoria in 1841.

It was worn by 62 royal babies – including Harry and William, 37 – but a replica was made after the Queen decided it had become too fragile.

The service is expected to be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, the Rev David Conner and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Fabulous Digital has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.

In other royal news, we told you Meghan Markle has blinged up the engagement ring Prince Harry gave her – and it looks totally different.

We also revealed the Queen ‘blocked Meghan Markle and Prince Harry breaking away from Buckingham Palace to keep an eye on them’.

And we showed you the Queen and Kate Middleton both struggle in horse-drawn carriages at royal events because they suffer from travel sickness.