Prince Harry and Meghan’s son Archie will be christened this weekend at Windsor Castle and the Archbishop of Canterbury will perform the ceremony, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

The palace said in a statement: “Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor will be christened in a small private ceremony by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday, 6th July.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex look forward to sharing some images taken on the day by photographer Chris Allerton.

"The godparents, in keeping with their wishes, will remain private.”

The decision to hold a private ceremony comes after it emerged £2.4 million of taxpayers' money had been spent renovating the couple’s Windsor residence, Frogmore Cottage – with many criticising the move.

The property, close to Windsor Castle, underwent major work to turn five properties back into a single residence for the couple and their baby son Archie – with all fixtures and fittings paid for privately by the duke and duchess.

Royal biographer Penny Junor said members of the public would want to share in Harry and Meghan's happiness at the baptising of their baby boy on Saturday, exactly two months after he was born on May 6.

Ms Junor said: “We're not asking for Archie to become public property but to be able to share in the pleasure of his christening, I think it is only fair to give the public that pleasure.

“Because although Archie himself is not going to be a working member of the royal family, so far as we can tell he's going to be brought up as a normal child, that's fine but Harry is very much a part of the royal family as we've known it over the years.

“People love him and they're really happy for him - he's married Meghan and they've had the baby - and they want to share in the joy of that and I think this is a terrible shame and I think it's a mistake."

It is understood pictures of the ceremony will be released on Sunday through the media and Harry and Meghan's Instagram account.

In contrast, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge let photographers capture pictures of them and their children, plus family members and guests arriving, before holding private christening services.