Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie arrived at All Saints Church in Kemble, Gloucestershire, today for the wedding of Peter Phillips to NHS nurse Harriet Sperling – their first appearance at a royal event since their father, the Duke of York, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office in February.
The sisters, who also skipped the Easter Sunday service with the King’s permission, were spotted wearing bright colours: Beatrice in a green and white patterned dress, Eugenie in a navy ensemble. They were accompanied by their husbands.
“Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attended Peter Phillips' wedding, their first royal event since their father's arrest.”
Their presence marks the biggest royal gathering since the Andrew arrest scandal, and comes just days after a National Audit Office report revealed that neither Beatrice nor Eugenie have ever paid rent on their homes – with the King covering the cost through the Privy Purse. The NAO report unearthed that the princesses benefited from reduced rental rates based on old market valuations, and that the King will review their rent deals within the coming year.
Peter Phillips, the King’s nephew and son of Princess Anne, is tying the knot with Harriet Sperling, an NHS nurse described in reports as a former “Ibiza party girl”. He quickly became “smitten” with her. Phillips split from his first wife Autumn in 2020 after 12 years of marriage and shares custody of their two daughters, Savannah and Isla. Harriet has a daughter, Georgina.
The wedding is being attended by the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Zara and Mike Tindall, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. The King and Queen will leave early to attend the Epsom Derby.
Notably absent are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have not been invited. Harry and Phillips were once close but have reportedly lost touch since Harry moved to the US and criticised the royal family.
Last night, the bride and groom – along with their children and Phillips’ sister Zara – were seen attending a last-minute rehearsal at the church. Princess Anne arrived today in a floral yellow ensemble, greeting the vicar before heading inside.
The wedding is a private ceremony in the small Cotswolds village, but the royal family’s gathering underscores the ongoing tensions and scrutiny surrounding the institution – particularly the unresolved questions about the Duke of York’s conduct and the housing arrangements for non-working royals.