King Charles welcomes new member to royal fold with telling Ascot move
Peter Phillips has made his debut with his new girlfriend on the first day of Royal Ascot, with King Charles and Queen Camilla welcoming her into the Firm. The King and Queen led the procession into the Ascot racecourse yesterday to mark the first day of the five-day meet in Berkshire, arriving in the royal carriage.
Closely followed behind them were three more carriages, transporting a select group of royals and their confidants. In the third carriage to enter the racecourse was Peter Phillips, Princess Anne's son, and his girlfriend, NHS nurse Harriet Sperling. The couple have been dating for over a year, but this is the first time the two attended a royal engagement together.
At the end of the procession, those in carriages mingled on the race track before heading to the royal suite, where Harriet was warmly welcomed to the royal event by Charles and Camilla.
Harriet, 45, dressed to impress as she wore an ivory jacket and matching skirt, accessorising with a woven hat. Peter, 47, donned his suit and top hat to keep with the event's strict formal dress code.
Harriet and Peter have been dating for over 12 months, with rumours of their relationship emerging in the weeks after Peter broke up with his previous partner of three-years, Lindsay Wallace.
Despite their relationship still being relatively new, by Harriet receiving an invitation to the royal procession, it seems she has been given the tick of approval by the Firm.
The smitten couple have been spotted together at a number of social events, such as Wimbledon, the Badminton Horse Trials, and Cheltenham Races in January.
While at Ascot, Harriet was seen getting on effortlessly with the royals, chatting with Princess Anne on the balcony of the royal suite, while Peter's sister Zara Tindall was at one point seen helping out by fixing her hat.
In years past, the late Queen Elizabeth didn't include royal girlfriends in the procession unless they were engaged. However, with the inclusion of Harriet in the procession, it seems King Charles is welcome to include unmarried partners at royal events.
Day one of Royal Ascot kicked off yesterday with the royal procession before the first race of the day commenced, as Charles and Camilla watched on in disappointment as their horse, Reaching High, placed a disappointing ninth place.
Charles and Camilla, who are both fans of racing, wrote in the official Royal Ascot programme: "Having experienced the thrill of victory at Royal Ascot ourselves in 2023, we can only wish all those competing this week the very best of luck and that everyone watching has a most enjoyable five days."
Queen Elizabeth II was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign. Charles and Camilla have taken on her stable of horses and enjoyed their first Royal Ascot winner in 2023 when their horse Desert Hero triumphed in the King George V Stakes.
The tradition of Royal Ascot stems back to the early 1700s, with Queen Anne seeing the potential for a racecourse at East Cote, declaring that it looked an ideal place for 'horses to gallop at full stretch' while out riding.
Her Majesty's Plate, which was a race open to any horse over the age of six, first took place on August 11th 1711, with Royal Ascot only growing from then, with this year marking the 200th anniversary of the royal procession, which was started during the reign of George IV in 1825.
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