Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne, will marry his fiancée Harriet Sperling on June 6 — the 62nd anniversary of D-Day.
The date is highly significant for the royal family, which traditionally marks the D-Day commemorations every year. To avoid any clash, sources say King Charles personally granted special permission for the wedding to go ahead on that day.
The couple will tie the knot at All Saints Church in Kemble, near Cirencester in the Cotswolds.
Divorcees Need Special Permission
Both Peter and Harriet are divorcees. Under Church of England rules, divorced people do not automatically have the right to marry in church. However, the rules were relaxed in 2002, allowing couples to seek permission from the local vicar. The couple has now received the vicar’s approval.
This will be Peter Phillips’ second marriage. His first marriage to Autumn Kelly ended in divorce in 2021. Harriet Sperling is also divorced.
Contrast with Charles and Camilla
The situation brings back memories of 21 years ago when the Anglican Church strongly opposed the marriage of then-Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, who were both divorcees. They eventually had a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall instead of a church wedding.
Royals Warm to Harriet
Peter began dating Harriet, an NHS nurse, in 2024. The royal family appears to have welcomed her warmly. She was seen at Royal Ascot last year and seemed to enjoy a friendly relationship with senior royals.
The wedding is expected to be a relatively low-key affair compared to other royal weddings, in keeping with Peter’s private nature. He is not a working royal and often stays away from the spotlight.
