Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are planning to keep Archie’s christening next weekend private to shield their son from the public.

The baptism will go ahead at St George’s Chapel, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex married last year, palace sources told the Sunday Times.

But those hoping for another glimpse of the newest addition to the royal family are likely to be disappointed.

Baby Archie has only been seen twice since his birth in May, with new parents Meghan and Harry keen to raise him as a ‘private citizen’.

His first appearance was during an official photo call at Windsor Castle just two days after his birth.

His second, a close up shot partially showing his face while holding onto Harry’s hand, was released on Meghan and Harry’s official Instagram account to mark Father’s Day in the UK.

Last week the Sussexes came under fire for spending £2.4 million of taxpayers’ money renovating Frogmore Cottage.

Royal accounts revealed the Duke and Duchess’ home, on the Windsor estat, underwent major work to turn five properties back into a single house for the couple and their son Archie – with all fittings and fixtures privately paid for by the duke and duchess.

The rooms have reportedly all been designed by the couple with dining and entertaining in mind and with extra bedrooms to accommodate guests, like the duchess’ mother Doria Ragland.

Accounts for the Sovereign Grant, which funds the Queen and her household’s official expenses, show the monarchy cost the taxpayer £67 million during 2018-19 – an increase of almost £20 million on the previous financial year.

Penny Junor, Harry’s biographer, said the decision to keep Archie’s christening private was a ‘mistake’.

She told the Times: ‘They can’t have it both ways. Either they are totally private, pay for their own house and disappear out of view or play the game the way it is played.

‘Seeing Archie and his godparents arrive at the christening is what people are interested in, it isn’t baring your baby’s soul, just giving the public who love and support them a crumb to enjoy.’

It is thought the couple plan to release carefully selected pictures of Archie with his family and godparents on Instagram in the days after his baptism by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

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