The wedding of Peter Phillips, the eldest son of Princess Anne, is expected to be one of the most significant royal family gatherings in 2025. With senior royals anticipated to attend, attention has turned to whether Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, will be present for the celebration.
The event has drawn interest not only because of its scale, but also because it could mark one of the few occasions in recent years where Prince Harry and his brother, Prince William, Prince of Wales, are seen together in a public setting.
Details of Peter Phillips’ Upcoming Wedding
Peter Phillips, the eldest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II and son of Princess Anne and her former husband Captain Mark Phillips, is reportedly set to marry Harriet Sperling. While official wedding details, including the venue and guest list, have not been publicly confirmed by Buckingham Palace, British media outlets such as The Telegraph and Hello! have reported that a ceremony is expected to take place later in 2025.
Peter Phillips is not a working royal, but as the son of Princess Anne, he is a prominent member of the extended royal family and has often been present at major state and ceremonial events.
Expected Royal Guests
According to coverage in the Daily Mail and The Times, many members of the Royal Family are expected to attend, including:
- Princess Anne
- Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales
- Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie
- Other extended family members
Given the high-profile nature of the guest list, this wedding could serve as a rare opportunity for multiple branches of the family to be photographed together.
Prince Harry’s Current Relationship with the Royal Family
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, stepped back from their roles as senior working royals in early 2020 and relocated to California. In an official statement issued by Buckingham Palace on January 18, 2020, it was confirmed that while they would retain their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, they would no longer use the style “His/Her Royal Highness” and would not undertake royal duties on behalf of the Crown.
Since that decision, public appearances involving Prince Harry and senior working royals have been rare. The most notable joint occasions have been the funerals of Prince Philip in 2021 and Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, as well as the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023.
Relations between Prince Harry and Prince William have been widely reported as strained, a situation documented in reputable outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, and Sky News. Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare included personal accounts of disagreements and differences between the brothers, which have been acknowledged publicly by Harry in various interviews.
Past Royal Events Prince Harry Did Not Attend
In 2024, Harry did not attend the wedding of his longtime friend Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster. According to The Times, both Harry and Grosvenor agreed in private conversations that it would be best for Harry to skip the ceremony to avoid media speculation overshadowing the event. Prince William served as an usher at that wedding, which was attended by over 400 guests, including senior royals and high-profile public figures.
This absence drew comparisons to earlier occasions when Harry and Meghan chose not to attend certain UK events, often citing logistical challenges or the desire to maintain privacy.
Princess Anne’s Role in the Royal Family
Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, is widely regarded as one of the hardest-working members of the Royal Family. She consistently tops the annual list of royal engagements, with over 400 public duties completed in several years, according to the Court Circular — the official record of royal engagements.
Known for her commitment to charitable causes, equestrian achievements, and no-nonsense approach to royal duties, Princess Anne has maintained strong public approval ratings, as reported in YouGov UK polling.
As the mother of Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, Princess Anne has balanced her public commitments with a private family life. Both of her children were raised without royal titles, a decision Anne has said publicly was intended to allow them greater personal freedom.
Potential Significance of Prince Harry’s Attendance
If Prince Harry attends Peter Phillips’ wedding, it could mark the first time in over a year that he and Prince William are photographed together outside of major state ceremonies. Such moments are often closely analyzed by the media and royal watchers for any signs of reconciliation or continued tension.
While weddings are personal, private occasions, they can also carry symbolic weight when involving high-profile public figures like members of the Royal Family. Attending could demonstrate a willingness to be present at key family milestones, even amid differences.
On the other hand, if Harry chooses not to attend, the decision could be interpreted by some commentators as a continuation of the physical and emotional distance that has characterized the brothers’ relationship in recent years.
No Official Statement Yet from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
As of this writing, there has been no official confirmation from Prince Harry or Meghan Markle regarding their attendance at Peter Phillips’ wedding. Representatives for the couple have consistently maintained a policy of not commenting on private family matters unless necessary.
Similarly, Buckingham Palace has not issued any formal statements about guest lists for the event, in keeping with its approach to personal family celebrations.
Media and Public Interest
Royal weddings, even for non-working members of the family, tend to attract significant public and media interest. Coverage often focuses not only on the ceremony itself but also on fashion, guest interactions, and the potential for rare reunions among royals.
The upcoming wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling is likely to be no exception. If Prince Harry attends, photographers and journalists will be looking for moments of interaction between him and other senior royals. If he does not, analysis will likely focus on the implications for family unity.
Conclusion
Peter Phillips’ wedding to Harriet Sperling is poised to be a major event for the extended Royal Family in 2025. While much of the focus will rightly be on the couple’s celebration, the potential presence — or absence — of Prince Harry will inevitably draw public interest.
Given the history of infrequent public appearances alongside senior royals since 2020, this wedding could serve as a rare opportunity for a show of family togetherness. Whether Prince Harry decides to attend remains to be seen, but either choice will be closely watched as an indicator of the current state of relations within the royal household.
Verified Sources:
- BBC – Timeline of Harry and Meghan’s Royal Exit
- The Guardian – Royal Family Relations
- Court Circular – Official Record of Engagements
- YouGov UK – Royal Popularity Polling
- The Times – Royal Wedding Coverage