Kate Gay, a host on Good Morning Britain, once brought attention to a significant error in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's announcement regarding the christening of their daughter, Lilibet.
While their son, Prince Archie, had a royal christening in Windsor a few months after his birth in May 2019, by the time Lilibet arrived in June 2021, the couple had departed from the royal family and were residing in California. Last March, Harry and Meghan surprised their fans by revealing that Lilibet had been christened at their Montecito home, marking the first time they used a royal title for her.
However, in their statement, they mistakenly referred to the officiating clergyman as the Archbishop of Los Angeles, which, as Kate noted, was factually inaccurate. She remarked on the importance of accuracy, especially for public figures like the Sussexes who challenge reporting about themselves.
In addition to his religious service, the officiating clergyman, the Reverend John Taylor, had a background in politics, having worked for former President Richard Nixon from 1984 to 1990. While John Taylor holds the position of Bishop of Los Angeles in the Episcopal Church, his career trajectory includes notable political involvement.
The timing of Lilibet's christening, three months before her second birthday, sparked speculation, especially considering Archie's christening occurred when he was just a few months old. While factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions may have contributed to the delay, some commentators suggested strategic motives behind the timing, prompting questions about the Sussexes' intentions.
Furthermore, the alteration of the children's surname to "Sussex" rather than "Mountbatten-Windsor," traditionally used by royal offspring, raised eyebrows. Archie and Lilibet have been identified as Archie Sussex and Lilibet Sussex since King Charles's coronation in May 2023. Dr. Carol Lieberman criticized the Sussexes' actions, attributing them to a sense of desperation for maintaining royal ties and relevance, especially as their popularity waned.
Lieberman emphasized Meghan's perceived aspirations for continuous public visibility and suggested that Harry's role seemed increasingly subsidiary, symbolizing Meghan's perceived reliance on their royal connections.
