All Eyes on Prince Harry as Duke Is Set to Attend His Cousin's Royal Wedding Amid 'Peace Talks'
A new royal engagement might soon deliver something royal watchers have been waiting a long time for—Prince Harry reuniting with his estranged family in the UK. The occasion is the upcoming wedding of Peter Phillips, the late Queen Elizabeth’s eldest grandson, to NHS paediatrician Harriet Sperling.
Harry has lived in Montecito, California, since 2020, when he and Meghan Markle stepped down as senior royals. He has since made only a few brief visits to the UK, most of them tied to formal occasions such as funerals, coronations, or legal matters. Relations between Harry and the royal family have remained strained following his and Markle's many bombshell claims in interviews, their Netflix documentary, and the Duke’s memoir Spare.
Just last year, when Harry attended the funeral of his uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, at St. Mary’s Church in Norfolk, royal fans noted the awkward tension with Prince William. Despite being at the same event, the two brothers kept their distance, arriving separately, sitting apart, and avoiding any interaction altogether, according to PEOPLE. According to multiple reports and eyewitnesses, they didn’t exchange a single word or even a glance at each other during the service.
As such, it would be interesting to see how the upcoming royal wedding would unfold, especially after reports of an olive branch being extended toward Harry behind the scenes. If the ceremony happens soon, it might create the ideal setting to take the recent 'peace talks' forward. However, while the wedding has raised hopes of a family reunion, it may not be a full-circle moment between the estranged brothers, as William is reportedly still upset with Harry.
As for the happy couple, Peter Phillips is the son of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips. He is known for his strong family ties, including with his cousins Harry and William. Peter reportedly began his relationship with Harriet Sperling in early 2024, after meeting at a sporting event. According to the BBC, they stepped into the spotlight as a couple during the Badminton Horse Trials in May 2024, where they were seen holding hands and supporting Peter’s sister, Zara Tindall. At the time, a friend of Peter’s revealed that he had recently met someone special and they were spending time together.
Harriet, an NHS paediatrician and freelance writer, quickly became part of royal gatherings, and in June was photographed sharing champagne with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot; a sign she had made a positive impression within the family. The engagement itself was announced through HELLO! with two portraits, and a statement that both families “were delighted with the wonderful news.” Senior royals, including Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales, were promptly informed. While there’s no official wedding date yet, anticipation is already building, and Harry is a big part of the reason why.