Peter Phillips, the eldest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II, is preparing to remarry on June 6, with his fiancée, Harriet Sperling. The couple, who both have a past marriage behind them, are opting for a low-key celebration that is expected to include family members from the royal sphere.
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Having maintained a relatively understated presence within royal circles, 48-year-old Peter has now ventured into a second wedding after his divorce from Autumn Kelly in 2021, with whom he shares two daughters, Savannah, aged 15, and Isla, aged 14. Harriet, aged 45, was previously married to fitness instructor Antonio St. John Sperling and has a daughter named Georgina, who is 13.
Despite being marked as an “intimate occasion,” the wedding is generating interest regarding the bride’s fashion choices. Speculation primarily revolves around whether Harriet will don a tiara, a common practice for royal brides. The intricacies of royal protocol regarding wedding attire are always a hot topic, particularly when it involves royal family members.
Rumours suggest that Harriet might borrow from Princess Anne’s extensive tiara collection. One notable piece, the Festoon Diamond Tiara, was a personal gift to Princess Anne from the World Wide Shipping Group of Hong Kong in 1973. This tiara holds sentimental value, as it was worn in her engagement photos with her late husband, Mark Phillips, and has become a cherished piece in her collection.
However, the possibility of Harriet wearing the Festoon Diamond Tiara might be slim, considering that Princess Anne had previously lent it to Peter’s first wife, Autumn, for their wedding in May 2008. This factor could lead to the search for alternative headpieces from Princess Anne’s array of royal adornments.
Among these alternatives is the Meander Tiara, a family heirloom that connects to Prince Philip’s lineage. Gifted to Queen Elizabeth on her wedding day in 1947, the tiara was later passed on to Princess Anne for her 18th birthday in 1968. It has been a symbol of family heritage and was lent to Anne’s daughter Zara for her wedding in 2011. Such connections highlight the tiara’s importance beyond mere aesthetics.
Additionally, there’s the Pineflower Aquamarine Tiara, gifted to Princess Anne by her grandmother, the Queen Mother, on her wedding day. Although Princess Anne has made modifications to the piece over the years, it remains a significant addition to her collection, having been worn at important state functions. However, it has yet to find its way onto the head of a royal bride.
While tiaras spark melodic possibilities, it’s also plausible that Harriet may choose to forgo the traditional royal headpiece altogether. A precedent was set by Queen Camilla, who opted for a delicate feathered headpiece instead of a tiara during her wedding to King Charles in 2005, demonstrating that modern royal weddings can embrace elegance without strict adherence to conventional norms.
The guest list for Peter and Harriet’s upcoming wedding will notably exclude certain high-profile royals. While close family members such as Princess Anne, her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, and the Tindalls are expected, Prince Harry’s absence has stirred some conversation. A source revealed that the cousins had lost touch in recent years, leading to Harry not being extended an invitation. Furthermore, former Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson are also not anticipated to attend, with concerns surrounding their personal controversies, which could detract from the celebrations.
As the wedding date draws near, there remains an air of excitement surrounding Peter Phillips’ second marriage. With family ties to royalty and a choice for an intimate ceremony, this union highlights the evolving landscape of royal weddings, where tradition meets personal preference.