Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aren't Prince Louis' godparents

Prince Louis' godparents have been named ahead of the newborn's royal christening, but fans may be disappointed to note Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aren't among them.

Kensington Palace announced the prince's three godfathers and three godmothers - all of whom are friends or relatives of Prince William and Kate Middleton - on July 9.

They are Nicholas van Cutsem, Guy Pelly, Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, Lady Laura Meade, Mrs Robert Carter and Lucy Middleton.

“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," Jessica Bridge of British bookmakers Ladbrokes explained earlier this year.

RELATED: All the details of Prince Louis' christening

As a cousin of the Duchess, Lucy Middleton is the only family member to be named among Prince Louis' godparents - the rest are close friends of the couple.

In the case of Meghan, her status as the newest addition to the Royal Family is another likely reason for her not being asked to fulfil the role.

“Meghan is new to the royal family, she wouldn't expect to be a godmother, this is usually reserved for those whom the parents have been close to for years, often many years.”

It is common for royal children to have multiple godparents - Prince George has seven, while Princess Charlotte has five.

Rounding out the list was the Cambridges' former private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton; William's cousin Zara Tindall; Oliver Baker; Emilia Jardine-Paterson; Earl Grosvenor and William van Cutsem.

Princess Charlotte's five godparents included Catherine's 's school friend Sophie Carter and cousin Adam Middleton; the Duke’s first cousin Laura Fellowes - the daughter of Princess Diana’s sister Lady Jane Fellowes – as well as friends Thomas van Straubenzee and James Meade.