Harriet Sperling Shares the Inspiration Behind Her Princess Kate-Approved "Dream" Wedding Dress
Princess Anne's new daughter-in-law said she was "so thrilled" with her Emilia Wickstead design.
When Harriet Sperling married Peter Phillips on June 6, royal watchers were eagerly awaiting to see what her bridal look would be like (and whether or not she’d wear a tiara). Princess Anne’s new daughter-in-law was a vision in white lace Emilia Wickstead, and in her first interview, Harriet shared the behind-the-scenes process in designing her “romantic, soft” wedding dress.
Speaking to Hello! magazine, Harriet shared the details of her big day, admitting, “It’s pretty emotional looking back at it.”
Princess Kate has long been a fan of Emilia Wickstead’s beautifully tailored dresses, and the New Zealand-born designer is who Harriet turned to for her wedding. "She is amazing and we became close during the process,” Harriet said of Wickstead. “She realized a dream for me, and I was so thrilled with it.”
Harriet's daughter, Georgina Sperling (left) and stepdaughter Isla Phillips hold her train as she approaches All Saints' church on June 6.
Harriet wears a custom Emilia Wickstead dress on her wedding day.
The former NHS pediatric nurse walked down the aisle in a fitted, square-necked column dress, but like Princess Kate, her gown was covered in an intricate lace overlay with a high neck. The dress was inspired by 19th-century designs, as Wickstead told British Vogue, and also featured a nearly 10-foot train.
Harriet, who grew up not far from Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire, England, said that she drew inspiration from the area for her gown. “The lace was inspired by flowers you might find locally,” she said.
The new Mrs. Phillips is mom to a 14-year-old daughter, Georgina, from her first marriage, and stepmother to Peter’s two daughters, Savannah and Isla, whose mother is his first wife, Autumn Kelly. Harriet said that she kept the fact that it was a second marriage in mind when considering her “timeless” gown.
The brice wears a diamond and pearl tiara borrowed from Pragnell, the same jeweler that designed her engagement ring.
Bridesmaids Isla, Savannah and Georgina kept Harriet's train pristine despite the rain.
“The fit and cut of the dress had more to do with the fact that it was a second wedding,” she said. “It had a romantic, soft look about it.”
Harriet got ready for the ceremony with her daughter and stepdaughters, sharing, "It was quite wet as it had rained that morning, but the girls kept my train completely white and immaculate. They did a really good job."
