Today, Peter Phillips, Queen Elizabeth's eldest grandson, will marry Harriet Spurling, a nurse in the children's ward. Many members of the royal family are expected to attend the wedding, which will take place in the modest village of Kemble in Spurling's home county of Gloucestershire.
As announced in April, the couple will be marrying at All Saints' Church in Kemble. On its website, the church is described as "a friendly, vibrant church in a village near the source of the Thames," and the location is almost as old as England itself. Below is a brief overview of the wedding venue and why the couple may have chosen it.
It's in the Cotswolds.
Aerial view of Cirencester. fotoVoyager — Getty Images
Kemble is located in the area surrounding Cirencester, the largest town in the Cotswolds and the eighth-largest settlement in Gloucestershire, with a population of approximately 20,000. Locals pronounce it "SEE-ren-se-ster," and locals simply call it "Siren." This market town is located on the River Churne, a tributary of the Thames, approximately 100 miles west of London. This picturesque area is also part of the Cotswolds, a rural area of England known for its idyllic rolling hills and medieval thatched-roof villages.
Cirencester's history dates back to Roman times, when the town was known as Corinium, a name believed to be related to the ancient British tribe of the Dobunni and shared with the River Churne. The earliest known written reference to the settlement appears in a work by the Greek geographer Ptolemy, dating back to 150 AD. The town's Corinium Museum houses an extensive Roman collection. Cirencester is also home to the Royal Agricultural University, founded in 1840 and recognized as the oldest agricultural college in the English-speaking world.
The history of the church dates back to the 7th century.
As described in a local history published by the Diocese of Gloucester, All Saints' Church has existed in some form since the seventh century. In 682, Cedwalla, then King of Wessex, granted lands in Kemble to Aldhelm, Abbot of Malmesbury, and the church is believed to have been built around this time. The current stone structure dates from between 1100 and 1250, the tower from around 1250, and the spire from around 1480.
The church suffered severe damage in 1823 when lightning struck during a thunderstorm, leaving it unusable for a long time. Much of the building was rebuilt in the 1870s, and the spire was restored in 1964. New stained-glass windows were also installed to mark the new millennium. In the churchyard, closed in the late 19th century, stands a large yew tree, believed to date back to Anglo-Saxon times. Local legend has it that Roundhead soldiers, supporters of Parliament led by Oliver Cromwell, tethered their horses to it during the English Civil War.
Harriet's parents were actively involved in the life of the local Anglican parish.
The choice of All Saints Church was apparently influenced by the Sperling family's history and faith. As reported by The Telegraph , Her late father, Rupert Hugh Sanders, was a longtime churchwarden—a volunteer layperson responsible for the management and upkeep of an Anglican parish—and he and his wife, Mary Sanders, raised their family in the nearby village of South Cerney in Gloucestershire, where they were closely involved with the local community. While the report doesn't specify exactly where, it's possible All Saints Church, also Anglican, was their family's parish church.
Faith has always been central to Sperling's life. In a 2024 essay for Woman Alive magazine She wrote openly about her Christian beliefs and her experience as a single mother. "Raising children alone can often be difficult, but despite certain stigmas, God is able to intervene and turn things around for the better," she wrote. Elsewhere in the article, she reflected on the spiritual aspects of parenting: "As a Christian, I see this bond as a reflection of God's unwavering love for us. It teaches us about sacrifice, the depth of love that requires sacrifice, and the willingness to give without expecting anything in return. This journey has deepened my faith, taught me to trust God's plan, and found strength in His love.".
A view of Gatcombe Park, Princess Anne's longtime residence in Gloucestershire. (Anwar Hussain — Getty Images)
The church also enjoys a convenient location, just a 20-minute drive from Gatcombe Park, Princess Anne's country estate, which could be a suitable venue for a wedding reception.
Many members of the royal family are expected to attend the event.
The guest list, although not officially announced, is expected to include King Charles and Queen Camilla, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Prince William and Kate Middleton's three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—may also be present.
Princess Anne and her ex-husband, Captain Mark Phillips, will attend their son's wedding, as will Anne's husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence. Phillips' sister, Zara Tindall, and her husband, Mike Tindall, are also expected to attend, possibly along with their children Mia, Lena, and Lucas. Peter Phillips' two daughters, Savannah and Isla, are also expected to attend, as is Sperling's daughter, Georgina.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are reportedly not expected to be among the guests.
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