The real reason Prince Harry won’t attend his cousin’s wedding

Harry is now expected to miss the wedding of Peter Phillips, 48, and NHS nurse Harriet Sperling, 45, at All Saints Church in Kemble, Gloucestershire, on Saturday.

The ceremony, followed by a reception at Princess Anne’s estate in Gatcombe Park, will bring together senior royals including King Charles, 77, Queen Camilla, 78, and Prince William, 43.

Reports have suggested that Harry was not formally invited, but sources now claim that Phillips has approached his cousin to gauge whether he would even want an invitation, given the ongoing tensions that have fractured relations between the California-based duke and much of the royal family.

A source familiar with the situation said Phillips was determined his wedding would not be overshadowed by the ongoing fallout between Harry and the rest of the family, and Harry “graciously” agreed to decline an invitation to his big day.

Our insider said: “Peter was desperate not to create unnecessary tension around what should be a happy family occasion. He was aware that any invitation to Harry would immediately become a major talking point, but he wanted to contact his cousin to offer him one anyway.”