Peter Phillips quietly broke with tradition this Christmas and chose love over lineage by spending the holiday with his fiancée’s family instead of heading to Sandringham.
Princess Anne’s son celebrated Christmas away from the royal spotlight, opting for a low-key celebration with Harriet Sperling’s relatives.
The decision surprised some royal watchers as many expected the NHS pediatric nurse to make her first Christmas appearance at the Norfolk estate alongside the wider family.
Instead, the newly engaged couple intentionally kept things low-key.
Friends of the couple have suggested that the choice was partly influenced by Harriet’s demanding work schedule last year, leading them to prioritize time together away from formal royal obligations this time around.
Their relationship has been quietly gaining pace. Harriet first appeared in public alongside Peter at the Badminton Horse Trials in May 2024, before joining him in the Royal Ascot carriage procession a month later.
News of the engagement followed in August, confirming that the romance had become serious.
While wedding plans remain under wraps, the couple is expected to tie the knot sometime next year, with speculation that a private ceremony will take place in line with Peter’s preference for life outside the company.
Back in Sandringham, the tradition continued when King Charles and Queen Camilla took the family to St Mary Magdalene Church for the annual Christmas Day service.
The Princes of Wales attended with their children. Princess Anne arrived with Sir Tim Laurence, along with Zara and Mike Tindall and their daughters.
