Prince Harry should return to the UK for Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling’s wedding in an attempt to “heal the royal rift”, according to a culture expert. The royal couple, who began dating last year, announced their engagement last week – with details of their upcoming nuptials yet to be revealed.
Despite believing that Harry should be attendance, culture expert Nick Ede has warned that Meghan Markle, 44, should stay at home in the US during the family celebrations. Harry and Meghan have been at loggerheads with the royals for some time, but the 40-year-old has previously shared his desire to reconcile with his family.
Speaking to the Express, Mr Ede said: “Harry has always been close to Peter Phillips and Harry has been known to attend major royal occasions on his own.
“I think that it would be a good thing for his popularity if he attended the wedding.”
Discussing the royal feud, which is said to have heightened after Meghan and Harry stepped down as senior working royals, he added: “If he is looking to gain favour with his family this could be a nice way of starting to heal the rift.”
Revealing that he believes Meghan should stay in California, he added: “I don’t think Meghan would attend such an event – I am sure she will be invited but she has firmly left the Royal Family behind for her new Montecito life and I don’t think she has any desire to come back to the UK.”
If Meghan were to not attend the wedding, it would likely mean that their children – six-year-old Prince Archie and four-year-old Princess Lilibet – would also not be in attendance as Harry has never bought them to the UK on his own.
Peter and Harriet’s engagement was announced via a statement, which read: “Mr Peter Phillips, the son of HRH The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips and Ms Harriet Sperling, daughter of the late Mr Rupert Sanders and Mrs Mary Sanders of Gloucestershire, have today confirmed their official engagement.”
The official statement confirmed: “Both families were informed jointly of the announcement and were delighted with the wonderful news of their engagement.
“Their Majesties The King and Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales have been informed of the announcement. No date has been officially set for the wedding.”