The nuptials of Peter Phillips and his NHS nurse bride Harriet Sperling have brought the monarchy firmly back into the spotlight as glamorous royals, family members and hundreds of well-wishers gathered in the peaceful Cotswolds village of Kemble today for an intimate ceremony.
The 48-year-old groom and his 45-year-old bride exchanged vows at All Saints Church before a star-studded guest list that included the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie with their husbands. Both the royal couple and the newlyweds left the venue smiling despite the intermittent showers that threatened to turn the day into a deluge.
Harriet looked radiant in a classic white Emilia Wickstead gown featuring a square neckline and delicate lace detailing. She walked down the aisle on the arm of her brother Nicholas in a heartfelt tribute to her late father, Mr Rupert Sanders, who passed away when she was young. Her hair was swept into an elegant bun to showcase the glittering Pragnell family tiara – a treasured heirloom worn by generations of the British jewellery firm and famously at the Coronation of both King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. She completed her look with Jimmy Choo shoes and matching earrings.
Her three bridesmaids – her daughter Georgina, 14, and Peter’s teenage children Isla, 14, and Savannah, 15, plus former wife Autumn Kelly – held the flowing train of Harriet’s gown. They were dressed in matching white outfits with floral garlands, adding a touch of family unity to the proceedings.
The bride’s bouquet, designed by renowned floral artist Millie Richardson, featured sweet peas, myrtle and lily of the valley. The myrtle held special significance: it is a traditional symbol of love, beauty and peace in both Harriet’s family and the wider Royal Family.
The service was led by the Reverend Dr Steve Bullock, with the marriage blessing and address delivered by the Reverend Nicky Gumbel.
Among the guests were Peter’s parents – his father Captain Mark Phillips and half-sister Stephanie Hosier with her husband William – as well as other close family members. Notably absent was Prince Harry, the groom’s cousin, whose strained relationship with Peter has been well documented. Peter’s estranged brother Prince William was also not present, though the Prince of Wales and Princess of Wales made a strong showing, drawing cheers from the crowd outside.
Hundreds of locals and royal fans spent hours in the rain outside the church, hoping for a glimpse of the famous faces. Scores of people, including 80-year-old James and 75-year-old Jane Cahill who had travelled 120 miles from Nottinghamshire, formed an impromptu umbrella guard of honour as the couple emerged. “I was dragged out of bed for this,” joked James, while Jane admitted she is a “fervent royalist” and had attended the King’s Coronation.
The couple’s wedding car journey to Gatcombe Park for the reception was made under a giant white umbrella, with the bride and groom sharing a sweet kiss as they posed for the cameras. Kate wore a £750 Roland Mouret outfit and a bespoke Jane Taylor London hat, while William looked dapper in a blue tie and waistcoat. Queen Camilla arrived in a cream ensemble but the royal couple departed swiftly by helicopter for the Epsom Derby.
The event was organised by long-standing event curator Peregrine Armstrong-Jones of Bentley’s Entertainments, who has worked on everything from the David and Victoria Beckham wedding to multiple Sir Elton John parties and Princess Eugenie’s Windsor nuptials. Floral archways and church flowers were designed by Millie Richardson using locally sourced, eco-conscious English blooms, with the church flowers later shared among local supporters.
Peter proposed to Harriet in August 2025 with a sparkling diamond ring designed to subtly honour his late grandmother, the Queen. Harriet, a paediatric nurse specialist, has spoken openly about how her Christian faith helped her through the challenges of single motherhood and the end of a seven-year relationship.
The wedding marks one of the biggest royal occasions of the year and has been hailed as a joyful, family affair that brought together generations despite the political sensitivities surrounding some of the attendees.
With the bells of All Saints Church ringing out and the couple waving to well-wishers, Peter and Harriet stepped into married life under a sky that, mercifully, cleared for the photographs.
