It has been confirmed that King Charles and Queen Camilla will be at next weekend’s Epsom Derby, which takes place on the same day Peter Phillips marries Harriet Sperling in Gloucestershire
The King and Queen have confirmed they’ll be at one of the year’s biggest sporting events – on the same day Charles’ nephew marries in a royal wedding.
Next Saturday, Peter Phillips will tie the knot with partner Harriet Sperling in Kemble, Gloucestershire, with many of his royal relatives, including his mum Princess Anne and cousin Prince William, expected to attend. Today, the Jockey Club announced that Charles and Camilla will be at Epsom Downs Racecourse for Betfred Derby Day, where they will watch the 247th running of the prestigious Derby.
The King and Queen are joint patrons of the Jockey Club, and their appearance next Saturday carries on the tradition of royals attending the prestigious race. In her 70-year reign, the late Queen only missed the Epsom Derby a handful of times.
The horse racing event clashes with the nuptials of the King’s nephew, whose wedding is taking place almost 100 miles away. However, it is expected that Charles and Camilla will attend the wedding ceremony before travelling to Epsom in time for the big race.
Jim Allen, General Manager of Epsom Downs Racecourse, said: “We are honoured and thrilled that The King and Queen will be joining us at Epsom Downs on Derby Day. Their Majesties show great enthusiasm, interest and support for horse racing in the UK and their attendance next week will be a proud moment for all of the team here and everyone connected with the racecourse.
“Derby Day provides joy and entertainment to millions of people around the world as one of Britain’s most famous and iconic events, and Royal attendance has been synonymous with the meeting for generations. We are delighted that Their Majesties will be continuing this tradition next week.”
It was announced back in April that Mr Phillips, the late Queen’s oldest grandchild, would marry fiancee Harriet on June 6 in a summer wedding in the Cotswolds.
The pair will tie the knot in a private ceremony at All Saints Church in the village of Kemble, Cirencester. Mr Phillips, 48, is the brother of Zara Tindall, and the son of Anne and her first husband Captain Mark Phillips.
All Saints Church, with its tall spire, sits in the heart of Kemble, with its congregation described as “very much involved in village life”. Mr Phillips lives nearby on his mother’s Gatcombe Park estate in Minchinhampton. He split from his first wife, Autumn in 2020 after 12 years of marriage and shares custody of their two children, Savannah, 15, and 14-year-old Isla.
The pair married in a grand royal wedding in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in 2008. Mr Phillips’ engagement to Ms Sperling, who he began dating in 2024, was announced in August last year.
The couple were guests of Charles and Camilla at Royal Ascot in June, and were invited to take part in the traditional carriage procession the royal family make onto the famous Berkshire racecourse to signal the start of the day.
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