King Charles is facing criticism after making an early exit from a royal family wedding to attend one of Britain’s most celebrated horse racing events. The monarch and Queen Camilla were among the guests at Peter Phillips’ wedding, but their departure before the festivities were fully underway quickly became a talking point among royal watchers.
While supporters argue the King’s schedule left little room for flexibility, critics say the optics weren’t ideal.
King Charles and wife Camilla are given the side-eye after ditching Peter Phillips’ wedding for horses…
Peter Phillips, the son of Princess Anne and the late Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest grandson, married NHS nurse Harriet Sperling in a private ceremony attended by several senior members of the royal family.
The guest list included Princess Anne, Zara and Mike Tindall, Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as Prince William and Kate Middleton. But shortly after the ceremony concluded, King Charles and Queen Camilla reportedly boarded a helicopter and headed to Epsom Downs Racecourse for Betfred Derby Day.
The Derby is not just another sporting event for the royal family. Horse racing has long been one of Charles’ greatest passions, and the race carries deep historical ties to the monarchy. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was famously devoted to the sport and rarely missed the annual event during her reign.
Still, the timing sparked debate. According to sources cited by RadarOnline, some observers felt the King’s quick departure overshadowed part of the wedding celebrations. Weddings are relatively rare occasions for the royal family, and critics argued that leaving before the reception was in full swing naturally raised questions about priorities.
Others, however, viewed the decision differently. Supporters noted that Charles was fulfilling a longstanding commitment connected to one of the monarchy’s most visible patronages. “Critics, however, are already portraying the move as a rapid exit from an important family event,” another source told the outlet.
Meanwhile, the wedding itself appeared to be a joyful affair. Guests gathered outside the church to celebrate the newlyweds, who left beneath a white umbrella before heading to a reception at Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate.
Prince William and Kate Middleton were also spotted departing later in the day, drawing cheers from onlookers.
TELL US – SHOULD KING CHARLES HAVE STAYED LONGER AT PETER PHILLIPS’ WEDDING RECEPTION?
Originally reported by Vanshika Vasundhare Singh on Reality Tea
