The union of Harriet Sperling and Peter Phillips on June 6, 2026, was a celebration that blended tradition with modern elegance. The ceremony, held at the charming All Saints’ Church in Kemble, Gloucestershire, drew a distinguished guest list, including King Charles III and Queen Camilla, who made a special effort to greet the crowd. The event was a rare glimpse into the private lives of the royal family, with guests donning their finest attire despite the overcast weather.
The bride, Harriet Sperling, a paediatric nurse, and the groom, Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne, chose a setting that held personal significance. The reception was held at Gatscombe Park, a property with its own royal history, purchased by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976 as a wedding gift for Princess Anne.
The Bride’s Enchanting Gown
Harriet Sperling’s wedding gown, designed by Emilia Wickstead, was a masterpiece of craftsmanship and personal symbolism. The gown featured a square-neck column underdressa delicate lace over-jacket, and a stunning three-metre train inspired by a 19th-century silhouette. The lace detailing on the gown and veil nodded to wildflowers native to Gloucestershire, where both the bride and groom grew up.
Wickstead and Sperling collaborated closely to create a design that was authentic, traditional, and modern. The gown was crafted from Italian ivory crepe, a less conventional choice for a wedding dress, which beautifully moulded to the body. The lace used in the gown and veil was hand-appliquéd with Leavers Lace, a fine fabric invented in Nottingham in 1813, featuring a wildflower motif dating back to the early 1900s.
A Star-Studded Guest List
The wedding was attended by a host of royal family members, each making a fashion statement. Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, wore an elegant nude tweed dress by Roland Mouret, paired with matching pumps, clutch, and hat. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, opted for a sky-blue ensemble, while Zara Tindall, the groom’s sister, also wore blue.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, daughters of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, made their first public appearance with the royal family in several months. Beatrice wore a green floral dress, and Eugenie, who is expecting her third child, wore navy. The occasion also marked the first public appearance with the royal family for several months by the groom’s cousins, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
The Bridesmaids and Finishing Touches
The bridesmaids, including Harriet’s daughter Georgina and Peter’s daughters Savannah and Isla Phillips, wore Emilia Wickstead gowns crafted from the same luxurious fabrics as the bride’s dress. Harriet completed her look with classic custom ivory satin heels by Jimmy Choo and a tiara and earrings by Pragnell, the family-run Mayfair jeweller that also designed her engagement ring.
The tiara, on loan from Pragnell, featured diamonds highlighting a festoon of glittering laurel leaves and articulated floral motifs. It bore a great resemblance to the tiara owned by the Princess Royal in the official photograph celebrating her fiftieth birthday in 2000. The delicate tiara has been worn by generations of Pragnell family members and was present at the coronation of both King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.
The wedding of Harriet Sperling and Peter Phillips was a celebration of love, tradition, and modern elegance. With its stunning setting, enchanting gown, and star-studded guest list, the event captivated the world and left a lasting impression on all who attended.
