The royal couple may have a busy day planned, blending a family wedding with a royal duty

King Charles and Queen Camilla; Harriet Sperling and Peter Phillips.Credit : Chris Jackson/Getty; Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

King Charles and Queen Camilla may be gearing up for a busy day blending a family event with royal duty.

The Jockey Club revealed on Friday, May 29, that the King and Queen will attend Betfred Derby Day at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 6. They are joint patrons of The Jockey Club, which owns and runs Epsom Downs Racecourse.

However, there is something already on the royal calendar that day: the wedding of the King’s nephew Peter Phillips to Harriet Sperling.

Although the two events are about 100 miles apart — Peter and Harriet are set to tie the knot at All Saints’ Church in Kemble, Cirencester, while Epsom Downs is located in Epsom, Surrey, southwest of London — it’s possible for King Charles, 77, and Queen Camilla, 78, to make both. The wedding will likely take place in the morning, and the big race of Betfred Derby Day won’t take place until 4 p.m. local time.

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend Ladies Day at Epsom Downs Racecourse on May 31, 2024.Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty

King Charles and Queen Camilla became The Jockey Club’s joint patrons in May 2024, succeeding Queen Elizabeth, who was patron for 68 years, from 1954 until her death in 2022.

Members of the British royal family traditionally attend Derby Day at Epsom Downs, with Queen Elizabeth only missing the event twice from the start of her reign until the COVID-19 pandemic — in 1956 while on a state visit to Sweden and in 1984 when attending the 40th anniversary of D-Day commemorations in France.

The Betfred Derby, regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious horse races, was held for the first time in 1780.

 Jim Allen, general manager of Epsom Downs Racecourse, said the organization was “honored and thrilled” to have the royal couple join them for the big day.

“Their Majesties show great enthusiasm, interest and support for horse racing in the U.K., and their attendance next week will be a proud moment for all of the team here and everyone connected with the racecourse,” he said. “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.”

Harriet Sperling and Peter Phillips at the Cheltenham Festival on March 13, 2026.Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty

Peter and Harriet revealed their wedding date in April, with a statement from their spokesperson saying, “Both families have been informed jointly of the wedding date by invitation. Their Majesties The King and Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales have also been informed of the announcement.”

Speculation surrounding Peter and Harriet’s relationship began in May 2024 when they attended the Badminton Horse Trials together. They continued to attend events together, such as Royal Ascot, where Harriet mingled with members of the royal family.

Peter Phillips, Harriet Sperling, Queen Camilla and King Charles at Royal Ascot in June 2024.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

It will be the second marriage for both Princess Anne’s son and the NHS nurse. Peter was married to Autumn Kelly from 2008 to 2021, and they share two teenage daughters: Savannah and Isla. According to Hello! magazine, Harriet was previously married to fitness instructor Antonio St. John Sperling, with whom she shares a teenage daughter. Harriet, Peter and all three daughters joined King Charles and the royal family for Easter church at Windsor Castle this spring.

While members of the royal family are expected to attend the wedding, some will not be part of the festivities.

Prince Harry wasn’t invited to his cousin’s nuptials, according to Hello! magazine. A friend of the couple told the outlet, “Peter and Harry haven’t spoken for several years and have simply lost touch, so he hasn’t been invited.” (Spokespeople for Prince Harry and Peter had no comment when reached by PEOPLE.)

In addition, Hello! reported that the former Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson were not among the invited guests for the nuptials, with a friend saying their presence would be a “distraction” amid renewed interest in their ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

SOURCE: https://people.com/king-charles-queen-camilla-reveal-outing-same-day-peter-phillips-wedding-11986285