Members of the Royal Family came together in a serene countryside setting to celebrate the marriage of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling on Saturday. The absence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was noticeable during the event.
Reports indicate that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not included in the wedding guest list. The intimate ceremony, where Peter, 48, tied the knot with NHS nurse Harriet, 45, was attended by senior royals such as King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Kate.
Following the church ceremony, the newlyweds appeared joyous as they greeted guests. The couple, who began their relationship in 2024, later enjoyed festivities near Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate.
In contrast to past royal weddings, Peter and Harriet opted for a smaller, more personal celebration. Despite their previous marriages, the scaled-back guest list raised questions about the exclusion of Harry and Meghan.
According to Hello!, the Duke of Sussex was not invited to the wedding despite having a close relationship with Peter in the past. Sources mentioned that the cousins had lost touch over the years, leading to the absence of an invitation for Harry.
The reported snub comes amid ongoing tensions between Harry and other members of the Royal Family. Despite a previous close bond between Harry, Prince William, and Peter, events surrounding Peter’s previous wedding in 2008 strained their relationship.
Whether the disagreement from years ago influenced Harry’s non-invitation remains uncertain. However, the lack of communication between the cousins seems to have played a significant role in Harry’s absence from the festivities.
Apart from Harry and Meghan, notable figures like Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson were also not present at the wedding. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie made a rare appearance alongside the rest of the Royal Family, marking their first major gathering since their father’s controversies.
As the senior royals united for Peter’s special day, Harry’s absence underscored the deep divisions within the Royal Family. While the Sussexes were far away in California, their non-attendance is likely to reignite discussions about resolving longstanding family conflicts.