Advertisement

Everything you need to know about Prince Harry and William's secret stepsiblings

Being a member of the royal family often means living life in the public eye. That’s something the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Prince Harry, and, of course, soon-to-be royal Meghan Markle are all used to.

But there are other members of the royal family who opt to turn away from the limelight and live their lives away from the public glare. And that includes Prince Harry and William’s stepsiblings, Laura Lopes and Tom Parker Bowles.

With the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle mere months away, speculation has turned to whether the lesser-known family members, like Laura and Tom, will join the other, more high-profile guests on the big day.

Laura, 40, is the daughter of the Duchess of Cornwall, from her marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles.

The Duchess of Cornwall with her two children, Tom and Laura, at Cheltenham Festival in 2015. (Photo: Getty Images)
The Duchess of Cornwall with her two children, Tom and Laura, at Cheltenham Festival in 2015. (Photo: Getty Images)
Laura and brother Tom, with Prince William and Harry at the wedding of their father, Prince Charles, to Laura’s mother, Camilla Parker Bowles. (Photo: Getty Images)
Laura and brother Tom, with Prince William and Harry at the wedding of their father, Prince Charles, to Laura’s mother, Camilla Parker Bowles. (Photo: Getty Images)

When Prince Charles and Camilla married in 2005, he became stepfather to Laura and her older brother, Tom Parker Bowles, and William and Harry gained two stepsiblings.

While she chooses to keep herself out of the spotlight, Laura, who is co-founding partner and director of London’s Eleven gallery, seems to have a great relationship with the princes.

She was one of the guests at William and Kate’s wedding in April 2011, and her daughter, Eliza, had a pivotal role as a bridesmaid.

Laura’s daughter, Eliza, was a bridesmaid at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. (Photo: Getty Images)
Laura’s daughter, Eliza, was a bridesmaid at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. (Photo: Getty Images)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry were invited to Laura’s own wedding to Harry Lopes, a chartered accountant, which took place in May 2006 in Wiltshire village, Lacock.

The princes traveled quite a distance to attend the nuptials — William and Kate flew in from their holiday in Mustique and Harry traveled from Cape Town, where he had been with Chelsy Davy, his girlfriend at the time.

The princes attended stepsister Laura’s wedding in 2006. (Photo: Getty Images)
The princes attended stepsister Laura’s wedding in 2006. (Photo: Getty Images)

William and Kate could soon be turning to Laura for some parenting tips since Laura is already the mother of three children; her daughter Eliza is 10, and her twin boys, Gus and Louis, are 8 years old.

Laura’s older brother, 43-year-old Tom Parker Bowles, receives more attention than younger sister Laura thanks to his career as a cookbook author, including The Cook Book: Fortnum & Mason.

The food writer and critic has also appeared on MasterChef and won the Guild of Food Writers 2010 award for his writings about British food.

Tom married his wife, Sara, in 2005, and they have a daughter, Lola, but it was recently reported that the couple have separated.

While it’s expected that the prince’s stepsister and stepbrother will be in attendance at Harry and Meghan’s big day, there has been speculation about whether Sarah Ferguson will be invited.

Though she didn’t make the guest list for William and Kate’s nuptials, despite media speculation to the contrary, Sarah Ferguson will reportedly attend Harry and Meghan’s wedding in “a bid to heal broken family ties.”

Whether or not she does receive an invite to Prince Harry’s wedding, Sarah Ferguson will soon be taking on a mother-of-the-bride role as her daughter, Princess Eugenie, recently announced her engagement to longtime partner Jack Brooksbank.

The couple will wed in October.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.

Read more from Yahoo Style UK:

Princes Harry and William named the nation’s favourite royals

Are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moving to the countryside?

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Scottish titles announced