Footwear and accessories brand Penelope Chilvers has swiftly secured its place as a favourite in royal circles.

The British brand is celebrated for its luxurious, handcrafted footwear made in Spain, offering timeless designs crafted for endurance – shoes that blend practicality with visual appeal.

Its designs are a staple in the wardrobes of the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Eugenie, and the newest addition to the royal family – Peter Phillips’ fiancée, Harriet Sperling.

Harriet, now a regular at high-profile events from Royal Ascot to Wimbledon, has been spotted in numerous Penelope Chilvers styles this summer.

At the Royal Charity Polo Cup held at Flemish Farm in Windsor, she sported the Brook Leather Espadrilles, while at Wimbledon, she chose the Bella Suede Platform Sandals.

She is also a fan of the popular High Sevillana Dali Espadrilles in bold pink and green, which highlight the brand’s distinctive contrasting lace feature.

‘I think good design is when form meets function,’ Penelope shared with the Daily Mail. ‘Customers often describe their first encounter with our collection as akin to discovering a charming little shop on a quiet street – a well-guarded secret. Perhaps this unique experience is what the royals also cherish.’

It’s easy to see the appeal. These shoes blend elegance with event-ready practicality, making them a natural choice for the social season.

The footwear and accessories company Penelope Chilvers has rapidly earned a spot as a favorite among royals, as evidenced by Harriet Sperling wearing the Brook Leather Espadrilles at the Royal Charity Polo Cup.

Peter Philips’ fiancée, Harriet Sperling, has been spotted in numerous Penelope Chilvers styles since joining the royal fold. Here she is wearing the High Sevillana Dali Espadrilles in vivid pink and green

‘Our summer collections are all about the iconic British events diary – requiring comfortable and chic shoes for lawns, fields and bandstands,’ Penelope explains.

‘When we see our creations being worn beautifully by our loyal customers at the events they were designed for, we feel we have done our job well.’

The Duchess of Edinburgh is perhaps one of the brand’s most devoted fans. She owns multiple variations of its espadrille wedges, wearing them publicly on almost 40 occasions.

Her collection also includes the Heeled Shepherdess Sandals in gold, a perennial design available year-round. They combine woven detailing with a comfortable block heel, striking the perfect balance between decorative flair and all-day wearability. 

‘I’m delighted and feel very proud that our sandals are such a key part of Sophie’s summer wardrobe, while our espadrilles are evidently perfect for her to wear all day long to outdoor summer events where walking on grass requires the right footwear,’ says Penelope.

She continues: ‘We never take any of our customers for granted and, of course, feel incredibly honoured that members of the Royal Family have chosen to wear our designs.’

Authenticity is a core value for the company. All footwear is produced by artisans in Spain using traditional techniques, with each style ‘test-driven’ by the UK team before launch to ensure it meets the brand’s high standards.

The Chelsea Flower Show marks the start of summer for Penelope, and her Andalusian-inspired stand at this year’s event set the tone for the season.

Attending Wimbledon in June, Harriet opted for the Bella Suede Platform Sandals

The Duchess of Edinburgh is perhaps one of the brand’s most devoted fans. She owns multiple variations of its espadrille wedges, wearing them publicly on almost 40 occasions

Sophie wore her High Catalina Cotton Espadrille Wedges during a visit to the Central School of Ballet in June

Pots of geraniums and colourful espadrilles hung from rafters, creating what she describes as ‘a myriad of colour and joy’ – a clear theme throughout her collections. 

Her design process begins a year in advance with a mood board that indicates the colour palette and mood for the season. 

This month’s Watercolour collection includes the Flora, a velvet espadrille with a Mary Jane strap and square toe, available in marmalade, khaki, black and leopard print. The transitional piece is designed to take its wearer into autumn and is already proving a bestseller.

These shoes, renowned for their versatility, embody the brand’s commitment to sustainability, emphasising slow fashion and the use of natural, biodegradable materials. 

‘We aim to make footwear that lasts for years to come – both physically and stylistically,’ Penelope explains. ‘Our Dali Espadrilles, with their two-tone velvet ribbon details, sing with summer – like a garden of flowers.’ 

Indeed, the Dali shoes are available in three heel heights and a variety of colour combinations. The high version, a favourite of Harriet, features lace-up ribbon ankle ties that create a striking statement. 

The mid and low versions share the same ribbon detail across the toe with a classic Mary Jane silhouette, making them an effortlessly elegant choice for celebrations – comfortable yet dressed up. 

Penelope Chilvers first garnered international recognition in 2004 when Kate Middleton, then Prince William’s university girlfriend, wore the Long Tassel Boots. 

Now, as the Princess of Wales, she frequently chooses the same boots for countryside engagements. 

Even Princess Charlotte once mirrored her mother’s style, wearing a mini-me version of the famed footwear on the Wales’s family Christmas card in 2020.

Princess Eugenie recently joined the brand’s list of admirers, showcasing the Burford Boots during an Easter egg hunt last year.

Made from polished black equestrian-style leather, these boots feature a refined long shaft silhouette, harness detailing and an elegant block heel.

Just days later, at the Cheltenham Festival, Eugenie wore the tan version of these boots, crafted from sustainably sourced Italian oiled suede from a gold-rated tannery, as audited by the Leather Working Group.

Penelope Chilvers first garnered international recognition in 2004 when Kate Middleton, then Prince William ‘s university girlfriend, wore the Long Tassel Boots. Now, as the Princess of Wales, she frequently chooses the same boots for countryside engagements

At the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, Princess Eugenie wore the Burford Boots, crafted from sustainably sourced Italian oiled suede from a gold-rated tannery, as audited by the Leather Working Group

Family is central to this firm, with Penelope’s eldest daughter, Africa, actively involved in the design and production team, working closely with factories in Spain. Her other daughter, Gemma, serves as the Brand, Content and Communication Manager

Originally trained as a painter at the Byam Shaw School of Art in London, Penelope was awarded a scholarship from the Spanish Ministry of Culture to complete an MA at Complutense University in Madrid. 

Her connection to Spain and its craftsmanship began early. As a child, she spent school holidays in the province of Girona, where she discovered handmade espadrilles that inspired her signature line of shoes. 

Penelope later spent several years in Barcelona as a painter and designer, where she collaborated with artists and artisans and worked on notable projects, such as the restoration of the Picasso Museum.

Family is central to this firm, with Penelope’s eldest daughter, Africa, actively involved in the design and production team, working closely with factories in Spain. Her other daughter, Gemma, serves as the Brand, Content and Communication Manager.

Penelope Chilvers operates four stores in London, situated in the affluent neighbourhoods of Belgravia, Mayfair, Chelsea and Notting Hill.