Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are reportedly set to attend the wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling in just two weeks, marking their first appearance with the Royal Family since the release of the Epstein files in January. The sisters, who have kept a low profile following their parents' involvement in the scandal, are expected to join senior royals including King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at the ceremony in Cirencester on Saturday, June 6.
Royal Wedding Guest List
According to reports, Beatrice and Eugenie have been added to the guest list, while their parents, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, have not been invited. This decision aligns with the King's promise to maintain a relationship with his nieces despite the ongoing revelations about their father, the Duke of York.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond commented that while there will be interest in the sisters' attendance, the focus will remain on the happy couple. "There will inevitably be some interest in Beatrice and Eugenie if they are guests at the wedding, but not enough to detract from the bride and groom in any major way. They are first cousins of Peter and have always had a good relationship," she said.
Support for Beatrice and Eugenie
Beatrice and Eugenie have reportedly been struggling behind closed doors as more details about their parents' association with Jeffrey Epstein come to light. However, Jennie Bond believes the wider family is determined to support them. "Beatrice and Eugenie are going through an incredibly tough time in their lives, and I think their wider family is determined to stay true to their promise that the women will always be included," she explained.
The sisters were last seen with the Royal Family at Sandringham for Christmas, and their attendance at the wedding would be a significant step back into the public eye.
Harry and Meghan Not Invited
While Beatrice and Eugenie are expected to attend, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly not been invited to the wedding. Jennie Bond suggested this is to avoid drawing attention away from the bride and groom. "Wedding guest lists are so often a nightmare! Who to include, who to leave out? Who will be offended? And the biggest no-no is to take attention away from the bride on her big day. That's undoubtedly what would happen if Harry, with or without Meghan, came to Peter and Harriet's wedding," she said.
The royal expert added that Harry is likely to feel excluded, but understands the decision. "I think Harry will understand, but he used to be close to his cousin, Peter, and it's only natural that he will feel rather excluded on such a big occasion. It's a sad situation, but until or unless the rift is mended, Harry is likely to find himself left out of any big family gathering," she concluded.
