Every royal and notable guest expected at Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling’s wedding this weekend
Gloucestershire will be awash with royal wedding fever on Saturday 6 June when Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne and nephew of King Charles III, ties the knot with NHS nurse Harriet Sperling. The couple have announced, via a spokesperson, that their nuptials will be an ‘intimate’ affair to be held at All Saints Church in Cirencester.
Following the religious service, it has been reported that the reception will be hosted by the Princess Royal at nearby Gatcombe Park – a location that holds a ‘special resonance’ for Peter and is near where his soon-to-be bride spent her childhood.
Purchased by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976 for Princess Anne and her then husband, Captain Mark Phillips, the Grade II-listed property dates back to the Dissolution of the Monasteries, when the manors of Minchinhampton and Avening were granted to Lord Windsor, though his family would go on to sell the land to Philip Sheppard in 1656. Once home to the annual Festival of British Eventing (declared in 2023 to be ‘unfeasible to run’ by Mark and Peter Phillips), Gatcombe has played a key part in Princess Anne’s royal career. Both her children, Peter and his sister Zara Tindall, were raised on the estate.
A fitting locale for Peter’s wedding reception, then. And, rumour has it, the big day has yet another royal tie. According to reports, both the ceremony and the following party have been planned by Peregrine Armstrong-Jones, the half-brother of Princess Margaret’s ex-husband, Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon. Peregrine and Peter Phillips know each other well: after all, Peregrine organised Peter’s 21st birthday party at Windsor Castle. The event mastermind, who works under Bentley’s Entertainment, was also responsible for the weddings of Mike and Zara Tindall, Victoria and David Beckham, and the wedding of Hugh Grant to Anna Elisabet Eberstein.
But, the question on all royal watchers’ lips is: who is on the guest list? Does an ‘intimate’ wedding mean no royal relatives will be in attendance? On the contrary. Peter Phillips is close to his family – and there is every indication Harriet Sperling gets on famously with them, too – and has invited many of his closest aunts, uncles and cousins to celebrate his union.
Savannah and Isla Phillips
Stars of the show are expected to be Savannah Phillips, 15, and Isla Phillips, 14, as well as Harriet’s teenage daughter, Georgina. Savannah and Isla are Peter’s daughters from his previous marriage to Autumn, while Harriet shares Georgina with her former partner, a personal trainer. All three girls are born within just a few years of each other and appear to have developed a close relationship – as witnessed when they arrived side-by-side for the Easter Matins service in April.
Mike and Zara Tindall
Proud little sister Zara Tindall and her husband Mike will no doubt bring their signature brand of playful levity to proceedings. The couple, who will soon celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary, are expected to be joined by their three children, Mia, Lena and Luca. The family live on Princess Anne’s Gatcombe estate so it would be a short stroll home at the end of the night if the party continues on site.
Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence
Watching on from the front of the church will be the groom’s mother, Princess Anne, and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence. The couple married in 1992, when Peter was just 15 years old, and Tim has been a major presence in Peter’s life ever since.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla
It is understood that King Charles III and Queen Camilla have been invited to the wedding, although questions remain over whether they will be able to attend due to a calendar clash with another major event, the Epsom Derby, which is taking place 100 miles away. King Charles enjoys a close relationship with his nephew so there is no doubt Their Majesties will make every effort to attend.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh
Peter’s uncle and aunt, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, have been busy on a royal tour in Portugal this week but will be back in time to toast to the next exciting chapter for Peter and Harriet. The couple, who live near Windsor, will potentially be joined by their children (and Peter’s younger cousins), Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie
Peter’s cousins Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have been invited to the wedding. But will they attend? It would mark their most high-profile appearance since their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. (He has not been charged with a crime and has denied allegations of wrongdoing). However, there are signs that Beatrice and Eugenie might be slowly reintegrating themselves into public life: Beatrice recently jetted off to the Italian coast for a friend’s 40th birthday and Eugenie used the Royal Family’s Instagram account to announce her third pregnancy. The York sisters could also be joined by their families: Beatrice shares two young daughters with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, while Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank have two sons.
Prince William and the Princess of Wales
Prince William and Peter Phillips grew up together as the closest of cousins, spending family summers at Balmoral and Christmases at Sandringham. So there is no surprise that William is expected to be among the guests at Peter and Harriet’s wedding this weekend. By his side will be the Princess of Wales, who will be keen to keep the spotlight away from her and on the bride and groom. If children are invited, William and Catherine will be joined by Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Other notable guests…
Captain Mark Phillips and Princess Anne divorced in 1992 but have remained close in the decades since their split, frequently crossing paths at equestrian events.
Following his divorce from Princess Anne, Mark found love once again, this time with a Hawaiian equestrian named Sandy Pflueger. Together, they welcomed a daughter, Stephanie Phillips, before separating on 3 May 2012. Stephanie grew up alongside her siblings on the Gatcombe Park estate, and, like her siblings, she developed a love for all things equestrian. Should she attend, it would be a warm reunion for Stephanie with Zara and Peter.
… And absentees
Peter Phillips was once extremely close to his cousin, Prince Harry. However it is understood the Duke of Sussex has not been invited to the wedding this weekend. Many members of the royal family have drifted apart in the years since ‘Megxit’, and this distance is likely to blame.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, the former Duke and Duchess of York, are understood not to have been invited to the wedding. No explanation needed!
