Meghan Markle not a frontrunner on the list of people being considered to be Prince Louis' godparents
Prince William and Kate Middleton have announced that two-month old Prince Louis will be christened on July 9. With the announcement of the ceremony comes great anticipation and speculation about who Louis' godparents will be. Of course, Meghan Markle is on the list William and Kate are considering, but she is not a front-runner, reported People. The royal aunt is far behind staffers and some of Williams and Kate’s close friends. Her odds are 14/1.
Despite her odds, it seems like little Louis and Meghan share a special bond. Just three months ago Meghan was baptized into the Church of England in a secret ceremony with Prince Harry. Louis too will be christened at the Chapel Royal of St James’s Palace in central London. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will be performing the ceremony; he also happened to baptize Meghan and officiate Meghan and Harry’s wedding.
Royal expert James Brookes told Express, “Judging by the previous christenings, and the importance of the day for the family, Louis’ christening will be a private affair, perhaps no surprise there. The Cambridges are well aware of the media spotlight and interest in their family - we saw that with the recent photos of Prince George and Princess Charlotte playing at the polo match.” He added, “We’ll no doubt have the official christening photos, as we did with Prince George and Princess Charlotte. These photos and the images of the family arriving will be seen as a compromise by the Cambridges. They give the photographers something to work with and then they expect a bit of privacy for the rest of the day.”
The christening will also mark Kate’s first public appearance in a while. She’s been off on maternity leave. Royal biographer, Duncan Larcombe, said: "It is traditional for new royal mums to take a six-month break from official engagements. The wedding doesn’t count because it was a 'family affair' but other than that, she will pick and choose her engagements."
So far, Prince Harry, 33, has not been announced as the godparent of either of his brother’s children - 4-year-old Prince George and 3-year-old Princess Charlotte. Prince William and Kate wanted to give the honor to their close friends rather than choosing Harry, who is already a proud uncle of the little royals.
Jessica Bridge, of British bookmakers Ladbrokes, said in a statement, “As with George and Charlotte, [William and Kate] chose close and trusted friends and aides, rather than immediate family members, and the odds suggest that will be the same with little Prince Louis.”
According to Ladbrokes, the frontrunners include William and Harry’s former assistant, nanny Tiggy Pettifer (née Legge-Bourke) and William’s outgoing private secretary Miguel Head. Head has earned the title of William’s most trusted employee. Prince William’s kinds words when Head announce his departure from the palace said it all. Pettifer’s odds are reported to be 2/1 and Head’s odds are 5/4.
Other people on the list include William’s stepsister Laura Lopes with 3/1 odds. Laura is the daughter of the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla. She’s also the mother of the royal couple’s bridesmaids: Eliza. Rebecca Priestley also has a 4/1 chance. Rebecca is Kate’s former private secretary, who stood by her side through the first six years of William and Kate’s marriage.
Next up is David Jardine-Patterson, who has a 5/1 chance of becoming a godparent. He is Emilia’s husband. Emilia also happens to be Prince George’s godmother. Hugh van Cutsem also at has 5/1 chance. He is one of four brothers who are close to William and Harry. William van Cutsem — Hugh’s younger brother — is a George’s godfather. Princess Diana‘s sisters Lady Jane Fellowes, who did a reading at Harry and Meghan’s wedding, and Lady Sarah McCorquodale are at 6/1. Kate’s siblings Pippa and James Middleton are both 10/1 chances. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are at 7/1 odds and royal nanny Maria Turrion Borrallo at 16/1.
Prince Louis was born on April 23. He was delivered in the Lido wing of St Mary’s hospital. The wing had been booked weeks before the delivery and remained closed until the day. Kensington Palace's twitter account made the official announcement; the tweet read, "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101hrs. The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well."