Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip Allegedly ‘Stayed Away’ From Archie’s Baptism, Book Claims

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip reportedly intended to skip the baptism of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's only child, Archie, a new book claims.

Investigative journalists Dylan Howard and Andy Tillett, in their book "Royals at War," claimed to have learned from palace sources that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh skipped the christening of Prince Harry and Markle's son because they were unhappy with Markle's behavior, Daily Star reported.

“Pointedly, the Queen and Prince Philip stayed away,” the authors wrote in the book, which dropped June 30 (via Express). “They had been generous and understanding at their best. But they simply now felt publicly embarrassed by Meghan's controlling behavior, said a well-placed Palace insider.”

Archie was christened on July 6 last year by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, England, two months after Markle gave birth to him on May 6. The palace released two images on Instagram to mark the event, with one snap being a royal family photo. While Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were noticeably missing, the other senior royals were present.

Prince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles, Prince William and Kate Middleton all made an appearance at Archie's christening. Markle’s mom, Doria Ragland, and Princess Diana’s sisters, Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, were in attendance as well.

"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to share the happiness of this day, and would like to thank everyone around the world for their ongoing support,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said at the time. "They feel so fortunate to have enjoyed this special moment with family and Archie's godparents."

However, according to People, the Queen’s absence was likely due to her busy schedule. Her Majesty also missed Prince Louis' baptism in 2018. Meanwhile, Prince Philip, who retired last 2017, rarely attends events.

“Royal At Wars” co-author Howard has also written about another royal, Prince Harry's mother Princess Diana, in the book "Diana: Case Solved." Tillett, meanwhile, previously worked with Howard on the book "The Last Charles Manson Tapes."

In related news, Middleton and her brother-in-law Prince Harry previously caused a stir during Archie's christening due to their outfits.

"Kate’s dress, that caused a bit of a stir, or plenty of attention anyway," TV host Belinda Russell said on NineNews Australia's "The Royal Insiders."

"It was a Stella McCartney dress, yes it was a little shorter than we have seen her in recently. But we used to see her in those dresses before," royal author Juliet Rieded added.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry's scruffy shoes during the event got the netizens' attention, with some criticizing the duke's footwear.

"Does Harry OWN another pair of shoes and laces? Quite scruffy for his first child’s christening?" one person asked.

"Harry’s shoes are an utter disgrace they look like his gardening shoes," another netizen wrote.