While King Charles III led a near-full complement of royals to the traditional Christmas Day church service at Sandringham, one notable member of the family was conspicuously absent from the annual gathering.
A Festive Gathering with One Notable Absence
On the morning of December 25th, the King and Queen were joined by a significant portion of the Royal Family for the short walk from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene's Church. The congregation included the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and even Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie with their husbands.
However, Peter Phillips, the son of Princess Anne and the King's oldest nephew, did not attend the celebrations. His sister, Zara Tindall, was present, making his absence more pronounced. The reason for his missing the festivities has now been revealed.
Choosing a Quiet Christmas with His Fiancée
According to reports, Peter Phillips, 48, opted to spend Christmas with his fiancée, Harriet Sperling, and her family. The couple, who became engaged in August 2025 after a year of dating, decided to enjoy a quiet festive period away from the public spotlight.
Last year, Harriet, an NHS nurse, was scheduled to work over the holiday. This year presented the first opportunity for the pair to celebrate Christmas together privately. The engagement has reportedly delighted the family, with both King Charles and Peter's cousin, Prince William, being informed and offering their congratulations.
Integrating into the Royal Fold
Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling have been seen together at several high-profile events over the past year, signalling her gradual integration into royal circles. They made their debut as a couple at the Badminton Horse Trials and have since attended Wimbledon and the Cheltenham Races together.
A significant moment came in June 2025 when Harriet joined the royal procession at Ascot, travelling in one of the carriages—a move widely interpreted as a mark of her acceptance within the family. Peter was previously married to Autumn Kelly, with whom he has two daughters, and later had a long-term relationship with Lindsay Wallace before finding love with Harriet.
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla's children, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, along with their families, were also absent from Sandringham this year. After joining the celebrations for the first time last year, Tom explained they plan to alternate Christmases at the royal residence, opting to spend this festive season elsewhere.
