Peter Philips is set to wed Harriet Sperling in the coming weeks, turning the nurse and single mother into a member of the British royal family.
The couple, who began dating in 2024 and announced their engagement last August, are set to tie the knot on Saturday June 6.
Not too many details are known about the royal wedding as yet, but it’s thought the guest list may outshine the newlyweds on their big day.
That’s because it’s set to mark the first official public event to be attended by Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie following their father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s loss of his Prince title.
The York sisters, who have been allowed by King Charles to retain their titles, are both first cousins with Phillips, who is the son of Princess Anne (aka sister to Prince Charles and the former Prince Andrew).
While Phillips, 48, is the first grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth and currently 19th-in-line-to-the-throne, he was not given the title of Prince.
This was a conscious choice by his mum, who didn’t want him to be burdened by the royal title.
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The Princess Royal chose the same for her daughter Zara, knowing her children were further down the line of succession and less likely to have formal roles in the monarchy.
This means there is no royal title the 45-year-old bride will inherit on her wedding day.
There will be another way the royal wedding will be a memorable one, with the divorcees tying the knot in England – an opportunity not afforded to Phillips’ mother, Princess Anne.
So what else do we know about the happy couple and their big day? Let’s take a look.
How did they meet?
Phillips and Sperling are understood to have started dating in 2024, following his split from girlfriend of three years, Lindsay Wallace, which was announced in April that year.
The new couple made their public debut together in early May at the Badminton Horse Trials before attending Royal Ascot races together in June 2024.
But perhaps the biggest indication the couple were heading down the aisle came last June, when Sperling made her carriage debut as part of the royal procession at Royal Ascot.
Who were they married to before?
Phillips and Sperling will both be marrying for the second time.
Phillips was previously married to Canadian management consultant Autumn Kelly.
The couple announced their separation in 2020, with their divorce finalised a year later in 2021.
While Sperling was previously married to businessman Antonio St John Sperling but the date of their wedding and subsequent divorced hasn’t been publicised.
Do they have children?
Yes. Both Phillip and Sperling have children from their first marriages.
Sperling welcomed daughter Georgina in about 2012, with the teenager seeming close to her soon-to-be stepsister, walking alongside Phillips’ two teen daughters at the royal Easter service in Windsor earlier this year.
Savannah and Isla Phillips, aged 15 and 14 respectively, were Queen Elizabeth’s first great-grandchildren.
Which other royals will be invited to the wedding?
The official guest list remains top secret, but it’s believed in addition to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, we may see Prince William celebrate his cousin’s nuptials.
However, US-based cousin Prince Harry and his wife Meghan aren’t expected to attend the UK-based wedding, with the Duke of Sussex still awaiting the results of a review into his security arrangements while in the country.
However, royal followers are very much hoping to see a reunion of brother William and Harry, which would be the first since a 2024 memorial for their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes, Princess Diana’s brother-in-law.
Phillips famously stood between the feuding brothers during the royal procession for Prince Philip’s funeral service in 2019.
It’s also believed Phillips’ disgraced uncle Andrew and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson won’t be attending the wedding after being banned from attending the royal family’s official Christmas and Easter celebrations in the past year.
It came after fresh links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein emerged late last year, leading the former royal to be arrested on his birthday in February and investigated on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
He has not currently been charged with anything.
We may, however, see King Charles attend his nephew’s wedding with wife Queen Camilla.
Where are Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling getting married?
The couple are expected to say ‘I do’ near Phillip’ home in Gatcombe Park, the sprawling estate where his mum and sister also live.
It’s believed the wedding will be held at All Saints Church in Kemble, Cirencester on June 6.
The wedding party are then set to take the 20-minute drive back to Gatcombe Park for the private reception.
It’s thought the couple opted for this location over any other royal-approved venue to keep their nuptials intimate and to celebrate with close family and friends.
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