'Real risk' behind Prince Harry's possible attendance at cousin Peter Phillips' wedding
Will he be invited?Following the recent announcement of Peter Phillips‘ engagement to Harriet Sperling, there has been a great deal of speculation over whether his cousin, Prince Harry, will be attending the wedding.
Prince Harry, 40, has been estranged from his family for some time now, with his last visit to the UK over 18 months ago. But could this be an excuse for a reunion with his royal relatives? A royal insider has given his verdict.
Will Prince Harry be at his cousin Peter Phillips’ wedding?
On behalf of Fruity King, former royal butler Grant Harrold, who worked as King Charles’ royal butler for several years, weighed in on the matter.
He told Royal Insider: “There’s a strong chance Harry will be invited, given his historically close relationship with Peter.”
But, he added: “However, whether he attends is another matter entirely.”
There’s a real risk that his presence could become the headline, rather than the wedding itself.
He went on to explain how Prince Harry being at the wedding might actually do more harm than good.
Grant said: “His presence could unintentionally overshadow the wedding due to ongoing tensions within the royal family and the intense media focus that follows him. While it’s possible he won’t take on a major role in the ceremony, such as best man or usher, his attendance alone could shift attention away from the couple and onto royal dynamics. Given the current climate, there’s a real risk that his presence could become the headline, rather than the wedding itself.”
But ultimately, Grant concluded: “I think Peter is obviously aware of this and will likely invite him anyway; he just may not play a huge role.”
Who is Peter Phillips engaged to?
Earlier this month, Peter announced his engagement to Harriet Sperling, an NHS nurse.
The pair were first spotted together around a year ago, and recently attended Royal Ascot together.
As guests of the king and queen, they were included in the royal family’s traditional carriage procession onto the racecourse. They were also in the Royal Box at Wimbledon.
A statement released on behalf of the couple said: “Mr Peter Phillips, the son of HRH The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips, and Ms Harriet Sperling, daughter of the late Mr Rupert Sanders and Mrs Mary Sanders of Gloucestershire, have today confirmed their official engagement.”
The couple is yet to confirm the date of their wedding.
Princess Anne’s son was previously married to Autumn Phillips. The couple tied the knot at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in 2008. They went on to have two daughters, Savannah and Isla Phillips. Their divorce was finalised in 2021, after they separated in 2019.
Read more: Prince William could be cousin Peter Phillips’ ‘best man’ at wedding after engagement news
Do you think Prince Harry will be at the wedding? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page and let us know.
