World exclusive: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Harry not invited to Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling's wedding


Three members of the royal family will be absent from Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling's nuptials next month


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Harriet Sperling and Peter Phillips attend day four of Royal Ascot 2024 at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2024© Getty Images
HELLO!
Matthew MooreSenior Evening Writer
Updated: 2 minutes ago
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Following recent speculation around whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor would attend the wedding of his nephew Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling, a friend of the couple exclusively tells HELLO!: "Peter and Harriet's wedding is an intimate occasion with their close friends and immediate family around them in the Cotswolds. It’s an area where they grew up and is very special to them both.

"When and whether Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and Sarah Ferguson had been invited, it was probably not deemed appropriate to invite them. It’s Peter and Harriet’s special day, and clearly their attendance would cause a distraction to the whole day."

Sarah and Andrew divorced in 1996© Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Sarah Ferguson and Andrew-Mountbatten Windsor will not be attending Peter Phillips' wedding next month

When asked if Prince Harry would be coming, the  friend said: "Peter and Harry haven’t spoken for several years and have simply lost touch, so he hasn’t been invited." Peter Phillips' spokesman was approached for comment but declined to comment. 

It's not surprising that Andrew and Sarah aren't on the final guest list, following further revelations about their friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The pair were evicted from Royal Lodge following the release of the so-called 'Epstein Files' in the United States, and they were also stripped of all of their royal titles.

"It's Peter and Harriet's special day, and clearly their attendance would cause a distraction to the whole day"

It is, however, more surprising that Harry isn't attending the ceremony, due to his closeness with his royal cousin. Peter was one of the guests at Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle, while Harry was a guest at Peter's sister, Zara Tindall's wedding to Mike Tindall.

While the full guest list has not been released, expected attendees include Peter's family: his divorced parents, Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, his stepfather Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, his sister Zara Tindall, and her husband Mike Tindall. He is close to the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Edinburgh family will also likely be attending.

WATCH: Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling confirm royal engagement

Peter and Harriet's wedding

Confirming the pair's wedding date, an announcement from Buckingham Palace read: "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 announced their wedding date.

"The summer wedding will take place at All Saints Church, Kemble, Cirencester on Saturday 6th June 2026 in a private ceremony. Both families have been informed jointly of the wedding date by invitation.

Peter Phillips smiling with his fiancee Harriet Sperling at Cheltenham© PA Images via Getty Images
The couple will be marrying in Cirencester

"Their Majesties The King and Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales have also been informed of the announcement. Further details will be announced in due course."

The couple are due to walk down the aisle at All Saints Church, which is located in Kemble, Cirencester, close to where Harriet grew up in nearby Gloucestershire. As the pair are both divorced, they had to seek "special permission" to wed in a church, but The Sun confirmed last month that the couple had received the vicar's permission. 

Harriet Sperling, Isla Phillips and Peter Phillips watch the racing as they attend the New Year's Day Racing Meet at Cheltenham Racecourse© Getty Images
Harriet has grown close to Peter's daughters

Peter, 48, shares two daughters, Savannah, 14, and Isla, 13, with his ex-wife Autumn Phillips, to whom he was married for 13 years, while he is also the proud uncle of Mia, Lena and Lucas Tindall. Harriet, 45, has a teenage daughter, Georgia, from a previous relationship. It wouldn't come as a surprise if the bride and groom chose to include their children and nieces and nephew in their bridal party.

Peter and Harriet's engagement

Peter proposed to NHS paediatric nurse Harriet over the summer. HELLO! revealed their joyful news shortly afterwards, sharing two photos that showed the groom and bride-to-be standing in a field, with Harriet's exquisite diamond ring on display.

Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling attending the Easter Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Berkshire.© PA Images via Getty Images
The couple will walk down the aisle next month

A statement at the time confirmed: "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.

"Both families were informed jointly of the announcement and were delighted with the wonderful news of their engagement. Their Majesties The King and Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales have been informed of the announcement. No date has been officially set for the wedding."

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