Royal family LIVE: Peter Phillips set to marry NHS nurse Harriet Sperling in countryside wedding - exclusive reporting

© Getty Images

King Charles has expressed his "profound shock" following the fatal Royal Navy helicopter crash in Devon that claimed the lives of military personnel earlier this week. 

Charles, who flew helicopters with the Royal Navy in the 1970s, described himself as a "Junglie" the affectionate nickname for the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force, during a speech to Royal Marines on parade and hundreds of veterans, families and friends.

The King said: "I also wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge with the greatest sadness the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter on Wednesday. As a former Junglie pilot 845 Naval Air Squadron, I was profoundly shocked to hear this most tragic news. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and colleagues of those involved. Their service is held in the highest regard, and they remain very much in our prayers." 

Before the event began a minute's silence was held for the Royal Navy helicopter crash victims, Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson and Petty Officer Owen Green, who all died in the incident at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, just before 4am on Wednesday.

 Lieutenant Fisher was Britain's only serving female commando.Charles, who has written privately to the families of those killed in the crash, went on to say: "I know that this devastating incident would have affected every one of us here today. However, it is most heartening to see the representatives of some of our oldest and closest international allies and partners present on this very special occasion.

"I can only pray that these bonds of friendship, forged through shared ordeals based on shared ideas, continue in the years ahead."

© James Whatling / Kelvin Bruce

HELLO! will be bringing you all the latest updates on the ground ahead of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling's fairytale wedding, live as it happens.

Local businesses have had to move their food trucks due to road closures, sparking complaints in a local Facebook group. A source tells HELLO! that vendors have been given no information and are concerned about the impact of heavy footfall in the quaint village.

For context: Kemble has a population of just under 1,000 people. The village is incredibly compact, covering an area of roughly 0.5 square kilometers - you can walk from one side of the place to the other in about 12 minutes. 

The village has a small local primary school with only about 100 total pupils, one general shop, and three pubs.

Insiders told us that Peter is a well-known figure within the local community and is often seen shopping at the local Tesco and at the train station. 

India Hicks, the King's goddaughter, has announced the death of her mother, Lady Pamela Hicks.

The heartbreaking news was shared on social media, where India paid tribute to her beloved mother and reflected on a life that spanned nearly a century of remarkable history.

"My mother died peacefully today," she wrote. "Whilst there is no tragedy in the death of a 97-year-old who has lived a full life I know grief will be unavoidable, lurking around waiting for me, but today I am simply grateful that she was my Mother. 

"And through the prism of a crowded and remarkable past, she made incomparable company, carrying her memories lightly, and always with humour.

"My mother maintained right up to the end, the impeccable style, sharp mind, and effortless charm that made her not only a cherished institution, but truly the last of her kind."

© getty

We bring you some very sad news from the wider royal circle. Lady Pamela Hicks has passed away at the age of 97. 

She was the wife of the interior designer David Hicks and the younger daughter of Lord Mountbatten of Burma.

Who is Lady Pamela Hicks?

Lady Pamela Hicks had been close with the late Queen for many years. She was the great great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria. This made Pamela the cousin of Prince Philip and the second cousin to the Queen.

Not only was she a member of the royal family, she was considered a close friend and confidante of the late monarch. Pamela was one of Her Majesty's bridesmaids in 1947, before going to serve as her lady-in-waiting.

Lady Pamela was a widow to interior designer David Nightingale Hicks, who died in 1998. The couple were married for many years. At their wedding in 1960, Princess Anne served as one of her bridesmaids.

Together, Lady Pamela and David had three children, Edwina Victoria Hicks, Ashley Louis David Hicks and India Amanda Caroline Hicks.  

© Getty

Before heading into a busy weekend, King Charles was on duty at Windsor Castle on Friday morning for a spectacular display of military pageantry. This ceremony marks the first time in history that the King, as Captain General Royal Marines, has presented new Colours. 

It is also the first time that four Commando units have received new Colours concurrently, making this an exceptionally significant military milestone. 

The parade formed up at Victoria Barracks before marching through the historic streets of Windsor, up to the castle, and through the grand George IV Gate.

© Getty

Despite the wedding being an intimate, private country affair, a spectacular turnout of senior royalty is expected to descend on the small village of Kemble tomorrow to celebrate Peter and Harriet.

The King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Zara and Mike Tindall and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are among those expected to be there.

Also expected to be there are Peter's children Savannah, 15, and 14-year-old Isla, as well as Harriet's teenage daughter Georgina.

Peter's half-sister Stephanie, who was a bridesmaid at his first wedding, is also reported to be joining the congregation.

© Getty

Princess Beatrice made a stylish return to the London social scene on Thursday evening as she attended the ALICE + OLIVIA in-store event.

The outing comes shortly after the royal's trip to Italy, where she was among the guests celebrating a friend's 40th birthday.

Known for her increasingly polished fashion choices in recent years, Beatrice stepped out in a striking, embellished ensemble. She joined high-profile guests, including Nicky Hilton Rothschild and Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, at the fashionable soiree. 

To see all the insider photos from the star-studded London event, click here.

© James Whatling / Kelvin Bruce

HELLO! has learned that Harriet's bridal bouquet will feature English sweet peas. A source confirmed the floral detail ahead of tomorrow's wedding at All Saints Church.

A popular choice for summer weddings, sweet peas are known for their delicate petals and distinctive fragrance. The seasonal blooms are expected to form part of Harriet's bouquet as she walks down the aisle on her wedding day.

To see the most stunning royal wedding bouquets in history, check out our full feature.

© James Whatling / Kelvin Bruce

Things are moving fast on the ground in Kemble! If you're just joining us, the village is officially buzzing as the final details for Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling's big day come together.

The floral decorations have just arrived at All Saints Church, with vans from Flowervision Bristol and Stokesay Flowers pulling up to the gates.

Stokesay Flowers is famous for their gorgeous, sustainably grown garden roses cut straight from the Shropshire countryside. Combined with the wholesale expertise of Flowervision Bristol, the intimate church is currently being transformed into a fragrant English garden oasis.

To see more updates, keep refreshing our live coverage!

© Getty Images

While a lot of the focus is firmly on tomorrow's wedding celebrations, we must turn our attention to Norway, where the Royal House has just issued a serious and urgent statement regarding the health of Crown Princess Mette-Marit.

Following a progression of her chronic, life-threatening lung disease and an exhaustive medical evaluation, the 52-year-old Crown Princess has officially been placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant. 

Representatives said in a statement: "As a consequence of her potentially life-threatening chronic lung disease and following an exhaustive medical evaluation, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant."

© Getty Images

As the final preparations are completed at All Saints Church, anticipation is building for the wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling. Yet amid the celebration, the occasion will carry a poignant note for the royal family.

One presence, in particular, will be deeply missed, and that is Peter's beloved grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Peter shared an especially close bond with the late monarch throughout her reign. As the eldest of her eight grandchildren, he occupied a unique place within the family, and the Queen was said to have greatly admired his down-to-earth nature and steadfast approach to life.

Tomorrow's ceremony marks a significant moment for the royals, becoming the first major royal wedding to take place since the late Queen's death in September 2022. Read more here.

Hello, it's Sharnaz here. 

The countdown is officially on! Tomorrow, the royal family will gather in the picturesque Gloucestershire countryside as Peter Phillips, the King's nephew and Princess Anne's only son, marries NHS nurse Harriet Sperling.

Unlike Peter's first wedding at the grand St George's Chapel in Windsor, tomorrow's nuptials promise to be a beautifully intimate, low-key affair. 

The couple will exchange vows at the All Saints Church in the idyllic Cotswolds village of Kemble - just a stone's throw from the Princess Royal’s Gatcombe Park estate where Peter resides.

© Getty Images

King Charles and Queen Camilla are anticipated to lead the arrivals (before they dash off to the Epsom Derby later in the afternoon!). 

We are also keeping our eyes peeled for the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and, of course, Peter's sister, Zara Tindall.

Stick with us right here as we bring you all the exclusive updates, the first glimpses of the bride, and every spectacular royal guest arrival as the Cotswolds prepare for a royal wedding.