The wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling in June 2026 attracted considerable attention due to the presence of many high-ranking members of the British Royal Family. Besides the appearance of King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Prince William and Princess Kate, the bride’s elegant wedding dress also became a focal point.

Recently, in her first interview after marrying the son of Princess Anne, Harriet Sperling shared insights into the creation of her dream wedding dress. In particular, she revealed that this being her second marriage directly influenced her choice of silhouette and design style.

The wedding dress bears the unique mark of the new British royal bride.

On June 6, 2026, Harriet Sperling married Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne and the eldest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The wedding was held at All Saints Church in Kemble, Gloucestershire, England, and was attended by many members of the British Royal Family.

On her big day, Harriet chose a custom-designed wedding dress by Emilia Wickstead, a New Zealand-born designer and one of Princess Kate’s favorite fashion brands.

The design is impressive for its refined beauty, combining classic elements with modern cuts. The dress consists of three main parts: a body-hugging, flowing skirt with a square neckline, a delicate lace overlay, and a train approximately 3 meters long.

The lace overlay features a high collar and long sleeves, adorned with delicate floral patterns. Meanwhile, the inner layer uses ivory white crepe fabric from Italy, creating a neat and soft appearance.

According to British Vogue, the creation of the dress took months, involving hundreds of hours of handcrafted work. The design was inspired by 19th-century attire, while also incorporating details closely related to the bride’s personal story.

In an interview with Hello!, Harriet had high praise for Emilia Wickstead. She said that the two became close while designing the costumes together and that the designer helped make her wishes come true.

A noteworthy detail is the lace pattern, inspired by locally grown flowers. Harriet grew up not far from Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire, so the flowers incorporated into the design also carry a symbolic connection to her familiar surroundings.

Why does a second marriage influence wedding dress design?

Harriet not only recounted her experience working with the designer, but also revealed an interesting detail: the fact that this was her second wedding influenced her choice of silhouette. She wanted a dress that was timeless, romantic, and soft, yet still suited her current style.

Instead of a voluminous princess-style design, Harriet opted for an elegant gown, emphasizing the tailoring and delicate lace details. This choice demonstrated restraint. The dress was still formal enough for a royal wedding but not overly elaborate, while still retaining the bride’s personal touch.

Harriet also completed her look with a diamond and pearl tiara borrowed from the jewelry brand Prangell, the same company that made her engagement ring. One of the most memorable moments of the wedding involved the three girls who served as bridesmaids.

Harriet has a daughter from a previous relationship, Georgina, now 14 years old. After marrying Peter, she also became the stepmother to Savannah and Isla, his two daughters from his first wife, Autumn Kelly. All three girls attended the wedding, with Georgina and Isla being photographed helping Harriet hold the train of her dress as she walked into the church.

According to Harriet, it had rained on the morning of the wedding, leaving the ground quite damp. However, the girls helped keep the long train of her dress clean. Notably, Emilia Wickstead also designed the dresses for the three bridesmaids, using a fabric that matched Harriet’s wedding dress.

Princess Kate and her interesting connection to her wedding dress.

Harriet’s choice of Emilia Wickstead also creates an interesting connection with Princess Kate. For many years, Kate has frequently appeared in designs from this brand. Emilia Wickstead’s style is characterized by its refined silhouettes, delicate cuts, and classic femininity. These elements are also clearly evident in Harriet’s wedding dress.

Following her wedding, the new British royal bride continued to choose Emilia Wickstead outfits when she attended the Wimbledon tennis tournament with her husband in July 2026. On that occasion, she wore a striking green plaid shirt dress, paired with neutral-colored accessories.

The choice shows that the relationship between Harriet and the designer went beyond just the wedding dress.

Five months after her marriage, Harriet Sperling is gradually sharing more about her new life. And through the story of her wedding dress, it’s clear she didn’t simply want a glamorous outfit for her big day. What she aimed for was a design that suited her, her past experiences, and the new chapter of her life.