Prince Harry's absence from Peter Phillips' wedding to NHS nurse Harriet Sperling has been described as "another graphic illustration of the depths of the rift with his family" by a royal expert. The wedding took place at All Saints Church in Kemble, Gloucestershire, with senior royals including King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Zara Tindall in attendance.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told the Mirror that Harry's no-show was significant, noting that he and his cousin Peter have "not spoken in years" and it is unclear if the Duke of Sussex was invited. Bond said: "The fact that Harry wasn’t there is, however, another graphic illustration of the depths of the rift with his family." She added that tensions between Harry and his brother William, as well as with the King, would have soured the wedding day.
Bond highlighted that Harry attended the funeral of his uncle, Lord Fellowes, two years ago but did not exchange a word with William. She suggested that silence is easier at a funeral than at a wedding. "We don’t even know if Harry was in fact invited," she said, adding that he may have sent a gift from his home in California.
The expert also praised the appearance of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who have kept a low profile amid controversy about their father, Prince Andrew. Bond called their attendance "quite brave" and noted they seemed determined not to draw limelight from the bride and groom. She described the wedding as "a much needed joyful day for the family" showing they "remain united" despite recent damaging headlines.
