“She’s not royal—but she just rode in the Royal Ascot carriage.” Peter Phillips’ new partner, Harriet Sperling, is turning heads and winning over the family 💐👑 See the elegant photos and royal reactions in the article 👇📸
Peter Phillips, the eldest grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, made headlines during the Royal Ascot procession — but not just for his royal ties. Seated beside him in the third carriage was Harriet Sperling, his new partner, marking another major public appearance for the couple.
Harriet, 45, looked graceful and polished in a soft ivory outfit believed to be designed by Suzanne London. Her look included a stylish cropped jacket with puffed sleeves, a matching skirt, and a finely woven hat that added to her elegant presence.
Peter, now 47 and the son of Princess Anne, has been dating Harriet for over a year. Their relationship began after his split from former partner Lindsay Wallace, whom he had dated for three years. Harriet and Peter were first spotted together publicly at the Badminton Horse Trials in 2023.
Being included in the Royal Ascot carriage procession is considered a major honor, and many see it as a sign of approval from King Charles III himself. While Queen Elizabeth II had a tradition of only inviting royal girlfriends once they were officially engaged, it’s unclear if King Charles follows the same rule.
Last year, Peter and Harriet were seen sharing a kiss shortly before meeting the King and Queen, and since then, they’ve attended several public events together — including Wimbledon, the Cheltenham Horse Festival, and of course, Royal Ascot.
At this year’s event, Harriet was warmly welcomed by the royal family. She was seen laughing with Princess Anne on the balcony and chatting with King Charles on the field. At one point, Zara Tindall, Peter’s sister, even gave Harriet a friendly kiss on the cheek and helped her adjust her hat — a clear sign of comfort and closeness.
So who is Harriet Sperling, the woman making waves in royal circles?
Harriet is a pediatric nurse working for the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. She’s also a freelance writer whose personal essays and reflections often appear in Woman Alive, a Christian magazine for women. According to her bio, Harriet is deeply passionate about children’s early brain development and emotional growth.
Born in 1980 to Mary Elizabeth Hoskins and Rupert Hugh Sanders, Harriet grew up in Gloucestershire alongside her siblings Nicholas, Louise, and Rebecca. She spent a decade raising her daughter as a single mother — just the two of them.
In a heartfelt article, Harriet once wrote: “For ten years, it was just my daughter and me. I always imagined us as our own little island. It was hard to picture anyone else joining that island… But there’s a special bond forged in the fire of single parenthood — a mix of challenge and triumph.”
Harriet is also very open about her Christian faith, which plays a major role in both her personal life and her writing.
With charm, strength, and authenticity, Harriet has quietly stepped into the royal spotlight — and judging by the smiles and warmth from those around her, she seems to be fitting in just fine.
