Peter Phillips left Prince Harry off his wedding guest list amid royal rift

Peter Phillips weighed up the situation carefully before concluding that Prince Harry would not be on the guest list for his wedding to NHS nurse Harriet Stirling. The decision to exclude his first cousin was driven by the well-documented rift that has come to divide the royal family in recent years.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold has since spoken out, revealing that Peter's choice was rooted in diplomacy rather than animosity.

"I'm not surprised that we didn't see Harry and Meghan there, but it's still quite sad," Harrold said, speaking on behalf of CasinoHawks. "It really does highlight how much things have changed in the last five years."

'They have simply lost touch'

A friend of Peter had previously shed light on the situation in comments made to Hello! magazine, explaining that the two cousins had grown apart over time.

"Peter and Harry haven't spoken for several years and have simply lost touch, so he hasn't been invited," the friend told the publication.

Harrold also suggested that Peter would have gone about the matter with characteristic tact and consideration.

"Peter is such a diplomatic person that I think he would have called Harry to discuss it."

Harry and Meghan's departure from royal life

Prince Harry stepped back from his duties as a senior royal in 2020, relocating to the United States together with his wife Meghan Markle and their son, Prince Archie. The couple subsequently made a series of public allegations against the royal family, including claims of racism directed towards their son. The grievances were aired openly in a widely watched television interview.

Harry and Meghan now reside in California, where they have since welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet.