Queen Camilla Attends Peter Phillips Wedding, Dashes to Epsom Derby

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended the wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling on June 6, 2026, at All Saints Church in Kemble, Gloucestershire. The couple left the ceremony early and took a helicopter to the Epsom Derby, 100 miles away, to present the winner’s trophy. This was the first time a reigning monarch attended the Derby since 2019.

A Royal Wedding in the Cotswolds

Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne and eldest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II, married NHS nurse Harriet Sperling on June 6, 2026. The couple chose All Saints Church in Kemble because Sperling lived in the village when they met. King Charles and Queen Camilla joined the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne, and other senior royals at the private ceremony.

Harriet Sperling wore a custom Emilia Wickstead gown made from Italian ivory crepe with Leavers lace inspired by Gloucestershire wildflowers. Her three-meter train and Pragnell tiara completed the look. Phillips’ children Savannah, 15, and Isla, 14, served as bridesmaids alongside Sperling’s daughter Georgina.

The Helicopter Dash to the Derby

After the ceremony, King Charles and Queen Camilla departed immediately by helicopter to reach the Epsom Derby in Surrey. The 100-mile journey took them from Gloucestershire to the racecourse in time to present the winner’s trophy. The Telegraph reported the early departure sparked conversation about royal scheduling.

This marked the first time since 2019 that a reigning monarch attended the Derby to present the trophy. The highlight of the racing season draws crowds from across the world.

From Romance to Royal Duty

Phillips and Sperling began dating in 2024 after Phillips split from his first wife, Autumn Kelly, in 2020. Their engagement was announced in August 2025. Friends described their connection as immediate, with both partners bringing life experience and a focus on trust and mutual support.

Members of the public from across the world travelled to the church to see the couple. Metal barriers and road closures were put in place around All Saints Church. Crowds cheered as Prince William and Catherine arrived, with shouts of “hip hip hooray” when the bride appeared.

Final Thoughts

King Charles and Queen Camilla’s attendance at the wedding and the Derby shows the royal family balancing personal events with public duties. The early departure highlights how the monarchy manages competing schedules.

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