Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have reportedly scored a significant show of support from the Royal Family after being invited to an upcoming high-profile royal wedding, despite Prince Harry and Meghan Markle missing out on the guest list. The York sisters, aged 37 and 36, have largely kept out of the spotlight in recent months following the fallout surrounding their parents, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson. Earlier this year, the release of the Epstein files reignited scrutiny surrounding the disgraced former Duke of York, who was later arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Beatrice and Eugenie are reportedly set to attend their cousin Peter Phillips' wedding to Harriet Sperling at All Saints Church in Kemble, Gloucestershire, on Saturday, June 6. King Charles III and Queen Camilla are expected to attend the wedding, alongside senior royals including the groom's mother, Princess Anne, Prince William and Princess Catherine, and Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie. Notably absent from the reported guest list are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, despite Harry also being Peter Phillips' cousin.
The reported invitation comes during what many royal watchers have described as a period of exile for the sisters, who were repeatedly mentioned alongside their parents throughout coverage of the Epstein files. There have also been claims Prince William is keen to distance the monarchy from the York branch of the family. Beatrice and Eugenie were notably absent from a recent royal gathering marking the centenary of the late Queen Elizabeth II, while they also skipped the Easter Sunday service attended by senior royals earlier this year. Neither sister has reportedly visited their father since his arrest in February, despite Eugenie currently expecting her third child.
The wedding of Peter Phillips, the only son of Princess Anne and her first husband Mark Phillips, is expected to be a low-key family affair. Peter, 48, shares daughters Savannah, 14, and Isla, 13, with his ex-wife Autumn Phillips, while NHS nurse Harriet, 45, has a 15-year-old daughter, Georgina, from a previous relationship. The couple announced their engagement last year, and their wedding is seen as a joyful occasion for the Royal Family amid a series of controversies and health challenges faced by senior members.
According to a source close to the bride and groom, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson were deliberately left off the wedding guest list to avoid overshadowing the day. 'When and whether Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and Sarah Ferguson had been invited, it was probably not deemed appropriate to invite them,' the source told Hello. 'It's Peter and Harriet's special day, and clearly their attendance would cause a distraction to the whole day.' The source also claimed Peter and Prince Harry are no longer close, which is believed to be the reason the Duke of Sussex was not invited. 'Peter and Harry haven't spoken for several years and have simply lost touch, so he hasn't been invited,' they said.
This development underscores the ongoing divisions within the Royal Family, particularly between the Sussexes and the rest of the institution. Since stepping down as senior working royals in 2020 and moving to California, Harry and Meghan have had strained relationships with many family members. Their attendance at major family events has been sporadic, and they were notably absent from the Queen's funeral in September 2022 due to security concerns and family tensions. The couple's decision to participate in high-profile interviews and release a Netflix series has further widened the rift.
Meanwhile, Beatrice and Eugenie have tried to maintain a low profile, focusing on their professional careers and family lives. Beatrice works in business and finance, while Eugenie is involved in charity work and art. Their inclusion in this wedding signals a potential rehabilitation of their public image, as they seek to distance themselves from their father's scandal. The York family's legal and financial troubles have been well-documented, with Andrew facing a civil lawsuit from Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault. Andrew has consistently denied the allegations but settled the case out of court in 2022.
The Epstein files, which were unsealed in early 2026, reopened old wounds for the Royal Family. The documents contained references to Andrew's connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, leading to renewed calls for a criminal investigation. In February 2026, Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, though he was released on bail pending further inquiries. The arrest has cast a long shadow over the monarchy, with many questioning the institution's ability to handle such controversies.
Against this backdrop, Peter Phillips' wedding offers a chance for the Royal Family to present a united front. The guest list is carefully curated to include only those members who can contribute positively to the atmosphere. The presence of King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and Prince William is particularly significant, as it underscores the importance of family unity. However, the exclusion of Harry and Meghan highlights the enduring tensions that persist even as the family gathers for happy occasions.
Royal commentators have noted that the wedding represents an 'unofficial return to the royal fold' for Beatrice and Eugenie. 'You can't imagine how relieved Beatrice and Eugenie were to be invited, but things have been looking up since the Palace announced Eugenie's pregnancy,' a palace insider told New Idea. 'This is being discussed as an unofficial return to the royal fold and Peter's low-key family wedding is the perfect setting.' Eugenie is currently in the second trimester of her third pregnancy, and her sister Beatrice has been a constant support throughout the recent upheaval.
The expanded wedding coverage includes details about the venue: All Saints Church in Kemble, Gloucestershire, a historic building dating back to the 12th century. The church is located near the royal estates of Highgrove and Gatcombe Park, making it a convenient location for the many royal guests. Following the ceremony, a reception is expected to be held at a private residence nearby. The event is anticipated to be a small, intimate affair with close friends and family, rather than the large state occasions typically associated with royal weddings.
In addition to the personal angles, the story has broader implications for the monarchy's public image. The Royal Family has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip's passing, and the ongoing health issues of King Charles III, who has been undergoing treatment for a form of cancer. The family's ability to come together for celebrations is seen as a sign of resilience, but the exclusion of certain members raises questions about the depth of reconciliation.
Prince Harry, meanwhile, has been focused on his legal battles with the British press and his various philanthropic ventures through the Archewell Foundation. He and Meghan have also been building their brand in the United States, with Meghan launching a lifestyle business and podcast. The couple's relationship with the Royal Family remains strained, with no clear path to reconciliation on the horizon. However, some insiders suggest that the passing of the Queen has opened a window for healing, though it has not yet been fully utilized.
The wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling will take place on June 6, a date that coincides with the anniversary of D-Day, adding a layer of historical coincidence. The couple has chosen to keep the event private, with no official royal photographers or press coverage beyond a brief statement from the palace. This low-key approach is in stark contrast to the media circuses surrounding other royal weddings, such as that of Prince William and Kate Middleton or Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
As the York sisters prepare to attend, they will do so without their parents. Andrew's absence is particularly notable given his previous prominence in the Royal Family as the Queen's second son. He has reportedly been living in seclusion at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, with limited contact with his daughters. Sarah Ferguson, though she remains on friendly terms with her ex-husband and his family, has also kept a low profile since the release of the Epstein files. Her decision to support her daughters from the sidelines rather than attend the wedding reflects the careful navigation of family dynamics.
In conclusion, the invitation of Beatrice and Eugenie to Peter Phillips' wedding marks a turning point in their relationship with the Royal Family. It signals a willingness to reintegrate them into the fold while drawing a clear line around the conduct of their father. The exclusion of Harry and Meghan, while less surprising, reinforces the ongoing fracture in the family. As the monarchy evolves under King Charles III, events like this wedding will continue to shape public perception of the institution's unity and relevance.
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Source: Sky News News