Members of the Royal Family came together in a beautiful countryside setting to commemorate the marriage of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling on Saturday. However, the noticeable absence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was hard to overlook.
It was revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not included in the wedding guest list. The ceremony, where Peter, 48, the son of Princess Anne, exchanged vows with NHS nurse Harriet, 45, took place in a small church with the presence of senior royals like King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Kate.
The newlyweds appeared joyous as they exited the church as a married couple, sharing smiles with attendees. Following the ceremony, the couple, who began their relationship in 2024, celebrated with close family and friends near Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate.
In contrast to previous royal weddings, Peter and Harriet chose a more intimate celebration. Both have been married before, with Peter ending his marriage with Autumn Kelly in 2021 and Harriet previously separating from Antonio St John Sperling. While the guest list was more restricted, the decision not to invite Harry and Meghan has sparked discussions.
Reports suggest that the Duke of Sussex was not invited to the wedding despite having a close bond with his cousin in the past. According to Hello!, Harry and Peter have lost touch in recent years, especially after Harry relocated to the US.
A close friend of the couple mentioned, “Peter and Harry have not been in touch for years, which is why he was not invited.” The reported exclusion of Harry from the event reflects the ongoing strained relationship between him and much of the Royal Family.
Although there was a time when Harry and Prince William were close to Peter, their relationship was reportedly affected by the events surrounding Peter’s previous wedding to Autumn Kelly in 2008. Allegedly, Harry was upset when exclusive wedding photos were sold to a magazine without his knowledge.
It remains unclear if this disagreement from years ago still influences their relationship today. However, the lack of communication between the cousins seems to have played a significant role in Harry’s absence from the wedding festivities.
Apart from Harry and Meghan, other notable figures missing from the guest list were Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie made a rare appearance at the event, marking their first inclusion in a large Royal Family gathering since their father’s controversial situation.
With senior royals showing up in full support of Peter, Harry’s absence once again highlighted the existing divisions within the Royal Family. While the Sussexes were far away in California, their nonattendance is likely to reopen discussions about resolving past family disputes.