As Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips marks his 48th birthday, one question dominates royal conversations across Britain: when will he marry his NHS fiancée Harriet Sperling?
A New Chapter for the Queen's Grandson
The couple, who began dating in May 2024, announced their engagement in July, sending royal enthusiasts into speculation about when the next royal wedding might occur. In their official statement, they confirmed that while King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton had been informed about the engagement, no wedding date has been officially set.
This won't be Peter's first walk down the aisle. The nephew of King Charles previously married Montreal-born Autumn Kelly in 2008 during a fairytale ceremony at Windsor's St George's Chapel. Their marriage produced two children - Savannah, now 14, and Isla, 13 - before the couple separated in 2019 and finalised their divorce in 2021.
Now Peter has found love again with fellow divorcee Harriet, 46, who shares a 13-year-old daughter, Georgina, from her first marriage. Harriet herself has aristocratic connections, being related to the Duke of Gloucester through her late father, Rupert Sperling.
The Engagement Ring with Royal History
Peter, who stands 19th in line to the throne, proposed with a sparkling ring that carries a subtle but meaningful tribute to his beloved grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. The engagement ring was designed by the same jeweller responsible for creating Her Majesty's iconic 1946 ring.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold has suggested the couple likely won't feel constrained by traditional royal protocol. "Historically, yes, royal weddings, if you're divorced and you got married again, it was always a much more low key affair," he told the Daily Mail, acknowledging that times are "very different" now.
Despite Peter's previous marriage, Harrold believes the couple will probably opt for an "all-white wedding" rather than a subdued affair. Many royal watchers speculate they might choose a style similar to King Charles and Queen Camilla's 2005 wedding, which featured a private civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall followed by a religious blessing.
Learning from Past Wedding Controversies
Royal biographer Richard Fitzwilliams is confident Peter's upcoming nuptials will differ significantly from his first wedding to Autumn Kelly, which left the Royal Family "bewildered" by a controversial deal with Hello! magazine.
That 2008 ceremony, attended by 300 guests including a young Kate Middleton, became memorable for the intimate glimpse it provided into royal family life - thanks to a £500,000 exclusive picture deal with the magazine. The resulting 100-page spread included remarkably candid shots, such as Prince Harry kissing his grandmother's cheek, which didn't sit well with senior royals.
Buckingham Palace subsequently called the deal a "serious error of judgement," and Fitzwilliams believes Peter has learned from these mistakes, predicting "this type of deal would never recur."
While the venue remains unconfirmed, Fitzwilliams suggests St George's Chapel could be a fitting choice, serving as a tribute to the late Queen who is buried there alongside Prince Philip. However, he notes it would be unconventional for Peter to marry at the same venue twice.
A Perfect Match for the Modern Monarchy
Harriet appears to be an ideal addition to the Royal Family, particularly during challenging times for the monarchy. Her career as an NHS paediatric nurse "will undoubtedly make her popular" according to Fitzwilliams, while giving her a "down to earth image" that reflects contemporary Britain well.
Her professional dedication is unquestionable - in 2010, she was part of a medical team that saved the life of a critically ill three-week-old baby named Phineas. She has also demonstrated commitment by commuting from Gloucestershire to London for her NHS work.
Harriet's personal interests align perfectly with Princess Anne's famously sporty family. The couple reportedly met at a children's sporting event and have since been spotted together at Cheltenham Racecourse, Wimbledon, and charity polo matches.
Most importantly, Harriet has already gained the royal seal of approval. She was seen chatting warmly with King Charles at Wimbledon and joined the Royal Family in Scotland last August, where she likely faced the unofficial "Balmoral test" that potential family members undergo.
With the monarchy facing ongoing challenges, a royal wedding offers a welcome opportunity for celebration and positive publicity. Given Peter's valued position within the family and Harriet's quick acceptance into royal circles, senior royals are expected to attend in force when the couple finally sets their wedding date.
