How Peter Phillips' NHS fiancée is fast becoming one of the Royal Family's best dressed members: Harriet Sperling is upping her style stakes by embracing British brands

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

She's only recently made her way into the royal fold, but newly-engaged Harriet Sperling has quickly asserted herself as one to watch for royal fashion lovers.
On Friday, it was revealed that Peter Phillips, 47, had popped the question to the NHS nurse, 45, after one year of dating - as The Firm announced it was 'delighted with the wonderful news of their engagement'.
Harriet has been warmly welcomed into the Royal Family since debuting her relationship with Phillips at the Badminton Horse Trials in South Gloucestershire last May, when she donned a classic blue dress from Zara.
The mother-of-one has since graduated from donning simple ensembles sourced from the high street to wearing eye-catching outfits from royal-approved brands.
So, what's behind the change? According to Virginia Chadwyck-Healey, the former Vogue editor and rumoured fashion adviser to the Princess of Wales, various factors are behind Harriet's wardrobe shake-up.
'I can vouch that [Harriet] is stunning in the flesh and charming too, so there is a genuine ease to her demeanour, allowing her to wear clothes well,' Chadwyck-Healey told The Telegraph.
'I truly believe she is also happy, and that brings so much to an outfit, a person's stance and their confidence.'
Her bright and bubbly persona aside, Harriet has also elevated her sartorial game by embracing brands favoured by her soon-to-be in-laws, including Peter's sister Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie.
Among them is London-based label Beulah London, which has quickly become one of Harriet's favourites, and she's opted to wear clothes from the brand on several occasions including for Ladies' Day at Ascot.
At the event last year, she looked effortlessly elegant in a pale pink Beulah London midi dress with bow detailing as she attended alongside Princess Anne's son.
She dressed the ensemble up with a matching fascinator, a cream clutch bag and pointed kitten heels, proving that sophisticated accessories can elevate a look entirely.
This year's Royal Ascot was no different, with Harriet putting her best fashion foot forward and opting to wear spring's most sought after colour - butter yellow.
The paediatric nurse specialist was so in tune with royal fashion that her dress matched the yellow Monique Lhuillier dress Princess Beatrice picked for the occasion.
Harriet's floaty belted frock was, again, from the socially conscious brand Beulah London.
The brand's founders, Natasha Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan, were compelled to 'fight modern slavery' via sales from the label after they spent two months working in a factory in New Delhi with women who had been rescued from the sex trade.
Harriet has not only wowed the public, but she's also got the attention of those who work in fashion.
Harriet wore a Wiggy Kit blue linen co-ord to the Wimbledon Royal Box this year (pictured at the event with Peter)
The founder of luxury womenswear label Wiggy Kit, Wiggy Hindmarch, described Harriet as a 'style icon in the making' in conversation with The Telegraph, adding that many others are attracted to her sense of style.
Harriet donned a blue linen co-ord from Wiggy Kit when she took her place in the Royal Box at Wimbledon this year.
The founder explained that Harriet possess the ability to best judge what colours suit her and what styles are most appropriate for any given event.
Harriet, who lives in Gloucestershire, also seems to be fond of British brands.
This became clear when she made her official royal debut in the carriage procession at Royal Ascot and opted for a cream balloon-sleeved jacket and skirt by Suzannah London in June.
Cream and white hues are often a go-to for the Princess of Wales, who was seen donning an ivory Self-Portrait dress to celebrate Garter Day at Windsor Castle, along with a custom-made eggshell frock from the same brand at the women's final at Wimbledon a couple of weeks ago.
Harriet also adores wearing British brands with a mid-range price tag, such as Me+Em, Wiggy Kit and St Clair, which allows the public to emulate her wardrobe.
Dressing for sporting events seems to be her forte, as she was seen pulling out all the sartorial stops in a stunning sleeveless white midi shirt dress from St Clair to the Royal Charity Polo Cup at Guards Polo Club.
She also does not underestimate the power of a good accessory. Harriet has elevated her ensembles with items such as Gucci sunglasses, diamond earrings and a burgundy rattan-style cross body bag by Anya Hindmarch.
As a relatively new member of the royal fold, Chadwyck-Healey believes she does not have too much pressure to conform to rigid style rules as other high profile figures.
The style expert said that while some brands may be wanting to offer her clothes to wear, it doesn't make it easier to become stylish - and it can actually make the reverse come true.
Instead, she said that Harriet should do her best to seek out garments that allow her personality to shine through.
The Daily Mail revealed insight into Harriet's family in June, including that Harriet's late father Rupert was the 'only son of Mr and Mrs Geoffrey Sanders, of Buckhorn House, Bisley, Gloucestershire'.
Rupert, who died in 2023, was a well-known solicitor who ran his own firm in the Cotswold town of Cirencester.
His father Geoffrey, Harriet's late grandfather, served during the Second World War with the Royal Artillery and was a D-Day veteran – reaching the rank of major, going on to become High Sheriff of Gloucestershire and a long-standing church warden, as well as editor of the Stroud News and Journal for 20 years.
Harriet's paternal grandmother Eleanor was the daughter of Dorothy Courage of the Courage brewing dynasty.
Dorothy's brother Raymond was Lord of the Manor of Edgcote, in Northamptonshire – an 18th century estate, once owned by Anne of Cleves (wife of Henry VIII).
Harriet herself attended Dean Close School, a Christian boarding and day school, in Cheltenham.
Announcing the news of their engagement on August 1, the couple said in a statement: 'Mr Peter Phillips, the son of HRH The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips and Ms Harriet Sperling, daughter of the late Mr Rupert Sanders and Mrs Mary Sanders of Gloucestershire, have today confirmed their official engagement.
'Both families were informed jointly of the announcement and were delighted with the wonderful news of their engagement. Their Majesties The King and Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales have been informed of the announcement. No date has been officially set for the wedding.'
The couple announced they will marry and showed her diamond engagement ring in an exclusive interview and photoshoot with HELLO!