Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to keep their son Archie Harrison’s godparents private may be a breach of Church of England law, according to the Daily Express. Baptism details, like godparent names, are usually recorded in parish registers, including those that take place in private chapels. However, royal correspondent Richard Palmerreported on Friday that royal baby christenings are recorded in a special register held privately by the Queen, who is the supreme governor of the Church of England.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's son Archie will be christened on July 6
“Under the Parochial Registers and Records Measure 1978 all baptisms must be registered and the record made is normally publicly available for searches and for the making of certified copies,” a spokesperson for the Church of England told the Daily Express. “However the register to be used in this case is held privately by the Royal Household on behalf of the Crown and we understand that it has never complied with the usual requirement.”
Per Richard, UK Parliament says that the "Church of England measures are laws with the same force and effect as Acts of Parliament." In the past, the palace has announced the names of royal baby godparents. Despite being private citizens, the godparents of Queen Elizabeth’s niece, Lady Sarah Chatto, who was also once seventh in line to the throne like Archie, were publicly named.
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