Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly to marry in Scotland
The Queen’s eldest grandson, Peter Phillips, has decided to hold his wedding to Canadian Autumn Kelly in Scotland, sources claimed yesterday.
He is said to have chosen the tiny Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral Castle. It is the village church where his mother Princess Anne married for the second time 16 years ago after her divorce from his father, Mark.
Some constitutional experts say that unless Peter’s fiancee, a staunch Catholic, renounces her faith, he will lose his place in the line of succession to the Throne - he is 11th although he holds no Royal titles. They claim the Act of Settlement of 1701 still bans the marriage to Catholics of all Royals.
Anne married Timothy Laurence at Crathie Kirk in 1992 after also facing an historical issue. Holding the wedding in the Church of Scotland allowed her to overcome the Church of England’s ban on divorcees remarrying.
The engagement between Peter, 30, and Miss Kelly, 31, a management consultant, was announced in July. However, no mention was made of her religion.
Last night a spokesman for Buckingham Palace would only say: “Peter Phillips is a private individual and it is not something we wish to comment on.”
But the Tablet, a Catholic weekly, has established that she was baptised in 1978 at St John Fisher Catholic Church in Point-Claire, near Montreal.
A spokesman for the church said her mother, Kitty, had authorised the information to be disclosed, adding that her daughter was proud of her religion.
Cardinal Keith O’Brien, head of the Catholic Church in Scotland, told the Tablet: “Whether a person be 40th or second in line to the throne, it is wrong they be deprived of that right because they have fallen in love and chosen to marry a Roman Catholic.”
The wedding date is not known but there has been speculation Peter’s sister Zara will be a bridesmaid and Prince William best man.
January 27th, 2008 02:11
I can hardly wait for this event. Hopefully there will some coverage and lots of photos.
January 27th, 2008 10:16
Yes, what a beautiful event it will be, I’m sure. I hope they have pictures for the public to see as well. They make such a lovely couple!
January 31st, 2008 06:46
where will the wedding bells
February 11th, 2008 07:06
No surprises here really.
Scotland has become a favourite with nobility and celebrities in recent years, probably due to our romantic history and fabulous scenery.
Great post and excellent photographs.