Prince Harry has reportedly not been invited to the upcoming wedding of his cousin, Peter Phillips, to Harriet Sperling, drawing fresh attention to the strained relationships inside the royal family. According to royal commentators, the decision appears to reflect long-standing tensions rather than a last-minute slight, with insiders saying the guest list was shaped carefully to keep the ceremony focused on the couple and free from family drama.
Royal commentator Emily Nash told Page Six that Harry and Phillips have not been especially close in recent years. She said Phillips is believed to be closely aligned with the Prince of Wales, Prince William, and protective of that bond. Nash suggested that this dynamic, together with Harry’s public criticism of the monarchy in his memoir Spare and the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan, may have contributed to the distance between the two cousins.
Phillips has often been viewed as a steady and practical member of the wider royal family. He was notably placed between Harry and William during Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021, a moment that highlighted his role as a calming presence during periods of visible tension. Observers say the current situation may reflect a broader effort by the family to avoid a high-profile wedding being overshadowed by unresolved disputes involving Harry.
Senior members of the royal family are expected to attend the June 6 wedding, including William and Princess Kate, with King Charles also likely to be present. Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall are also expected, along with other relatives in what commentators describe as a more modern and blended family gathering. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are also likely to attend, while their mother, Sarah Ferguson, is not expected to be there.
Their attendance is being viewed as significant because it shows that, despite the continuing scrutiny surrounding their father, Prince Andrew, they may still retain a place within the broader family circle. At the same time, the event is expected to remain a private family celebration rather than an official royal engagement.
Reports have also claimed that Harry believes William may have influenced the decision to leave him off the guest list. A source told The Examiner that Harry sees William’s close relationship with Phillips as a possible reason for the exclusion and feels his brother may have pressured the family to take sides. The insider said Harry had expected an invitation because of the cousins’ past ties, including Phillips attending Harry’s 2018 wedding and Harry attending Phillips’ wedding in 2008.
The source also suggested Harry feels hurt by the snub and sees it as part of a larger pattern of estrangement within the royal household. However, the insider said he does not place all the blame on Phillips himself, believing William’s influence plays a major role in royal decisions.
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle is said to be focusing on business and brand development rather than the ongoing royal tensions. Royal author Duncan Larcombe told The Mirror that Meghan is concentrating on her lifestyle brand As Ever and building a more controlled public image. According to Larcombe, she is working to separate her professional identity from the controversies surrounding Harry and the royal family, aiming to build a path that stands apart from royal drama.
