The real reason why Prince William did not attend cousin Peter's first wedding


The Prince of Wales' cousin is due to marry NHS nurse Harriet Sperling at All Saints Church in Kemble, Cirencester this weekend


Prince William, Prince of Wales attends the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) at Grimaldi Forum on June 8, 2025 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Manon Cruz - WPA Pool/Getty Images)© Manon Cruz - WPA Pool/Getty Images
By Sean O'Grady
2 minutes ago
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There is just two days to go until Prince William and Harry's cousin Peter Phillips marries his fiancée Harriet Sperling at All Saints Church, Kemble, Cirencester. 

The location is close to where Harriet grew up,  and the event is set to be attended by several key members of the royal family, with a few notable exceptions.

Peter Phillips married his first wife Autumn in 2008© AFP via Getty Images
Peter Phillips married his first wife Autumn in 2008

The couple have been together since 2024, with Peter introducing Harriet to King Charles and Queen Camilla that summer. They announced their engagement in August 2025. Prince William will be in attendance at the nuptials after he was forced to miss Peter's wedding to his first wife Autumn Phillips in 2008.

The Duchess of Cambridge - then known as Kate Middleton – made a solo appearance as Prince William had a prior commitment. The royal attended the wedding of his ex-girlfriend Jecca Craig's brother in Kenya, which was held at the same time.

An unfortunate clash

A source told the Telegraph that William's decision to skip his cousin's royal wedding was not seen as a snub to the rest of the family, describing it as "an unfortunate clash".

The insider added at the time that William spoke to Peter about not being able to attend and his cousin was fine with it. 

Three hundred guests - including the Queen and Prince Philip - attended the glorious spring wedding, with around 70 members of Autumn's family jetting in from her home country of Canada.

Stephanie (far right) was also the flower girl at Peter's first wedding to Autumn© Tim Graham Photo Library via Get
300 guests attended the ceremony

Autumn looked beautiful in a Sassi Holford gown, which consisted of a fitted bodice made of hand-beaded lace, a silk duchesse skirt and beaded French lace shrug.

"I was frightened of walking down the aisle. But when I got to the top of the stairs and saw how many of our friends and family had turned out to support us, I stopped being scared and actually enjoyed it," Autumn told HELLO!  at the time. 

Peter Phillips' family life 

Peter and Autumn were married for 13 years and share daughters Savannah, 15, and Isla, 14. They divorced in 2021. Peter began dating Lindsay Wallace that same year but they announced their split in 2024. He was dating Harriet by June of that year.

Confirming Peter and Harriet's wedding date, a statement issued by their spokesman 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 announced their wedding date.

Harriet Sperling and Peter Phillips smiling at Cheltenham Festival© Getty Images
Peter and Harriet Sperling will tie the knot in the Cotswolds on Saturday

"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.

"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."

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