Harriet Sperling Makes Royal Ascot Debut Alongside Peter Phillips and Princess Anne

Harriet Sperling, the new Mrs Peter Phillips, made her first official appearance as part of the Royal Family on Tuesday afternoon, joining her husband in the traditional carriage procession at Royal Ascot.

Before the racing began, attention focused on the newly married couple, who wed in an “intimate” Cotswolds ceremony less than a fortnight ago, as they arrived at the Ascot paddock under clear, sunny skies.

Sperling, 45, and Peter Phillips travelled in the second royal carriage, while King Charles and Queen Camilla led the procession in the first on the opening day of the celebrated British racing fixture.

The NHS nurse cut an elegant figure in a blue silk Biarritz dress by Suzannah London, paired with cream Jimmy Choo slingback heels, as she sat alongside her new mother-in-law, Princess Anne, in the horse-drawn carriage.

Alongside her wedding ring, the clearest nod to her recent marriage was a sky-blue Anya Hindmarch clutch embroidered with her new initials, HP.

She completed the outfit with a blue straw Mini Mena teardrop-style hat, along with a bracelet and earrings from jeweller Pragnell.

Meanwhile, Peter Phillips cut a dashing figure in his morning suit with top hat and tails – and looked delighted to be enjoying the royal summer calendar event with his new wife by his side. 

In a break from royal tradition, the 48-year-old also wore a gold wedding band signifying his pride at his newlywed status. 

Men in the royal family and aristocratic circles, including Prince William, tend to not always wear the rings exchanged on their wedding days.

Seated next to Peter Phillips in the carriage was the Queen’s nephew Sir Ben Elliot, former co-chair of the Conservative Party.

Princess Anne, 75, appeared to be enjoying the moment with her new daughter-in-law. The Princess Royal, dressed in a striking striped dress with a wide-brimmed green hat, chatted to Ms Sperling as the carriage made its way into the main paddock.   

Also joining the just-married couple in the royal procession were the Duke and Duchess of Wellington, seated beside the King and Queen, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester who waved from the third coach.

It isn’t Ms Sperling’s first appearance at the summer racing event beloved by the Royal Family; with the King and Queen warmly welcoming the couple in 2025. 

After arriving in the stands this afternoon, the happy couple shared a tender moment when they raised a glass of champagne. 

Ms Sperling looked relaxed as she sipped Ascot’s favourite tipple ahead of an afternoon’s racing. 

The new Mrs Peter Phillips was also spotted chatting to her new sister-in-law, Zara Tindall, who was one of the first royals to arrive alongside husband Mike. 

And once the racing began, Ms Sperling and her new husband appeared animated at the results below, following the horses closely as they charged for the line. 

Ms Sperling couldn’t hide her emotion as she watched the runners and riders below.

The King and Queen also couldn’t hide their emotions as they cheered on their favoured horses, with Charles brandishing a racing guide in the direction of the course. 

Queen Camilla, wearing a pale blue ensemble with statement millinery in the same shade, had earlier offered a cheery wave to those watching in the stands as the royals made their grand entrance.  

Peter, 48, and Harriet’s outing comes after they wed in front of a host of royals and socialites at All Saints Church, in Kemble near Cirencester, not far from Princess Anne’s home at Gatcombe Park.

Guests at their nuptials included the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, with their respective husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank.

Harriet wore a white Emilia Wickstead gown and the Pragnell family tiara, while her wedding train was held by her three bridesmaids, her daughter Georgina, 14, and Peter’s children, Isla, 14, and Savannah, 15, with former wife Autumn Kelly, who all looked elegant in floral garlands and matching white dresses from the same designer.

The royal procession at Ascot celebrated its 200th anniversary last year, with the tradition dating back to 1825, when George IV was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington. 

King Charles and Queen Camilla have continued the late Queen Elizabeth’s close association with the Berkshire race meet, and royal fans look forward to catching a glimpse on them at the five-day event each year.

The late Queen was a passionate owner of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign.

Today, joining the royals in attending day one of the festival, was a host of celebrities, including former Made in Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo and TV presenter Charlotte Hawkins. 

Zara and Mike Tindall were the first members of the Royal Family to arrive at Royal Ascot’s opening event today. 

The daughter of Princess Anne turned heads in a glamorous custom Rebecca Vallance belt dress and fascinator, while she opted for pale heels and a Anya Hindmarch shell pink ‘Mortimer clutch’ which retails at £1,150, to finish off the look.

To accessorise, Zara, 45, selected a pair of purple and gold dazzling drop earrings and a large pair of stylish sunglasses amid the warm summer weather.

In keeping with the royal couple’s theme, former rugby captain Mike wore a blue waistcoat and pink tie – with a required top hat in line with Ascot’s dress code.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to attend all five days of the long-awaited affair. 

The King presented the King Charles III Stakes, while the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester presented the Coventry Stakes and Princess Anne was in charge of the St James’s Palace Stakes.

The afternoon outing belonged to the new Mr and Mrs Peter Phillips though, who looked delighted to be in the royal carriage procession.

The bride herself boasts wealthy connections, sharing a relation to the Duke of Gloucester through her late father, Rupert Sperling. 

Peter, who publicly announced his divorce to Autumn in 2020, found love again in May 2024 with the NHS nurse, who is also divorced.

Born Harriet Eleanor Sanders to Mary Hoskins and Rupert Sanders, the 45-year-old, who has three siblings, Nicholas, Louisa and Rebecca, works as a paediatric nurse specialist for the NHS.

Peter, 19th in the line of succession, popped the question in August 2025 with a sparkling ring which boasts a subtle but touching tribute to his beloved grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. It was designed by the same jeweller behind her 1946 ring.

In a statement to announce their engagement, they said both families were ‘delighted’.

On their big day, as the bells of All Saints Church rang, the crowd – made up of around 300 well-wishers – cheered loudly and the assembled guests formed an impromptu umbrella guard of honour so that the bride and groom could emerge almost dry for photographs outside.

Peter and Harriet stood beneath a huge white umbrella with their three bridesmaids behind waving to the crowd before making their exit in a vintage Rolls Royce.

Shortly afterwards, Kate and William drew more cheers from the crowd as they too were driven off in a black Audi with a police escort behind.

Peter, whose right-hand man for the ceremony was his long-time childhood friend, Mr Andrew Tucker, and Harriet were later joined by their family and close friends for their wedding reception at Gatcombe Park, home to The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence.