A summer wedding in the royal family is set to bring a welcome moment of celebration, but it may also come with a “dilemma,” particularly over the invitation of Prince William and Prince Harry. Peter Phillips, the son of Princess Anne, has confirmed he will marry NHS nurse Harriet Sperling on June 6. The couple plans to hold a private ceremony at All Saints Church in Kemble, Cirencester.
Expert discusses the difficulty of inviting Prince Harry and William
The tone of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling’s upcoming nuptials remains celebratory, but people are now focusing on whether both Prince William and Prince Harry will be invited, and if they are, will they attend? So far, Phillips and Sperling have kept details of their wedding intentionally low-key. They confirmed that King Charles III and Queen Camilla, along with William and Kate Middleton, have been informed of their plans. Furthermore, the couple has signaled that the ceremony will remain intimate, with more details to follow.
Amid this, royal commentators say that the choice may not be accidental. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told the Mirror that a smaller guest list could ease unnecessary pressure, particularly amid ongoing tensions within the family. “A wedding is always a happy distraction,” she noted, adding that the “news of Peter and Harriet’s wedding will have been welcomed by the family.”
However, William and Harry’s relationship has remained tense for years, and any shared appearance continues to draw intense scrutiny. For Phillips, who has maintained a close bond with both, that presents a personal and logistical challenge. Bond pointed out that Phillips has historically acted as a quiet bridge between the two brothers, even stepping in as a “buffer” during the funeral of Prince Philip and offering support in the years following the loss of their mother.
“The rift between the brothers must be difficult for Peter to negotiate,” she explained. Jennie believes Sperling, who will be Phillips’ second wife, has received a warm welcome into the royal family, especially from Princess Kate, as both women share an interest in children’s development.
