It’s not every day we get to witness a fresh chapter in the royal family’s story—especially one that’s a little more relatable than the usual pomp and protocol.
But with Peter Phillips, Princess Anne’s eldest son, announcing his engagement to NHS nurse Harriet Sperling, all eyes are now on what could be the most refreshing royal wedding in years.
After a year of dating, the couple recently confirmed their plans to tie the knot.
And while this will be the first major royal wedding in a while, don’t expect it to look exactly like those fairy-tale spectacles of the past.
Times have changed—and so have expectations.
Both Bride and Groom Have Been Down the Aisle Before
Peter, 46, was previously married to Autumn Kelly, with whom he shares two daughters—Savannah and Isla.
Harriet, 45, also has a 13-year-old daughter, Georgina, from a past marriage to a fitness instructor.
Given their histories, their wedding may lean into a more personal, contemporary vibe.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold believes that, unlike previous generations, Peter and Harriet won’t be limited by outdated royal traditions.
“It’s a very different time,” he said. “They could go low-key or high-profile—it’s completely their choice.”
A Ceremony Like Charles and Camilla’s?
Some royal watchers have drawn comparisons between Peter and Harriet’s upcoming ceremony and King Charles’ 2005 wedding to Camilla.
At that time, Charles—also divorced—opted for a civil ceremony followed by a religious blessing.
It was modest compared to his elaborate wedding to Princess Diana in 1981.
Phil Dampier, a royal expert, echoed that sentiment, predicting a more intimate affair for Peter and Harriet.
He noted that Peter isn’t a working royal and sits low in the line of succession, giving the couple more freedom to shape their day how they want.
“We probably won’t see any parades or carriage rides,” he added.
Divorced Royals Aren’t So Taboo Anymore
While the Church of England now allows divorcees to remarry in church (since 2002), royal history hasn’t always been kind to second marriages.
Just remember how Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson, or how Princess Margaret wasn’t allowed to marry her divorced lover, Peter Townsend.
But in modern times, things are shifting.
Prince Harry’s 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle—who was divorced—was a high-profile royal event at Windsor, attended by over 100,000 well-wishers.
So, Peter and Harriet certainly aren’t trailblazing alone.
Will Harry and Meghan Get an Invite?
One big question that’s popped up among royal fans is whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be on the guest list.
Royal insiders believe there’s a good chance.
Grant Harrold noted that Peter is close with his royal cousins, including Harry and William.
In fact, Harry was at Peter’s first wedding in 2008 and is even said to have introduced Zara to her now-husband Mike Tindall.
The cousins reportedly keep in touch through a WhatsApp group for coordinating family plans—very relatable!
Throwback: Peter’s First Wedding Was a Lavish Affair
Peter’s first wedding to Autumn Kelly in 2008 was far from understated.
Held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, the same venue as Harry and Meghan’s wedding, the ceremony included around 300 guests.
Autumn wore a custom gown by British designer Sassi Holford, and Princess Anne lent her a dazzling tiara.
There was even a royal carriage ride to Frogmore House for the reception.
The couple sold exclusive photo rights to Hello! Magazine in a deal reportedly worth £500,000—a move that ruffled some feathers within the royal household.
This Time, A Tribute to the Queen?
This upcoming wedding marks the first major royal celebration since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
When Peter married Autumn in 2008, he was the first of the Queen’s grandchildren to wed—and it was considered a very special occasion.
At the time, candid images published by Hello! included Harry kissing the Queen on the cheek and the family laughing together.
Although Buckingham Palace called the photo deal a “serious error of judgement,” Peter has always been considered one of the Queen’s favourites.
A tribute to her during the ceremony would be a heartfelt gesture.
A Personal Affair, With Royal Touches
Ultimately, the scale and style of Peter and Harriet’s wedding will be up to them—and that’s part of what makes it so intriguing.
While it may not feature all the grand royal theatrics, there will likely still be nods to tradition and family.
With senior royals expected to attend and a rich family history behind them, Peter and Harriet’s wedding may strike a balance between modern love and royal legacy.