I spend hours each day immersed in the wardrobes of the British royals — studying the cut of a coat, the tilt of a hat, the way a single accessory can turn a polite nod into a stand out moment, and I can spot the instant a new style star begins to rise. Right now, that star is blazing in the form of Harriet Sperling.
Since announcing her engagement to Peter Phillips, the poised 45-year-old has glided through a string of appearances with the kind of elegance that makes fashion watchers, myself included, sit up straighter. From the regal roll of the carriage procession at Royal Ascot to the sunlit seats of centre court at Wimbledon, her outings have been nothing short of a masterclass in modern royal dressing.
With her quiet glamour, discerning brand choices and unshakable ease, Harriet is shaping up to rival her sister-in-law Zara Tindall — and perhaps even Princess Kate herself. She embodies a rare blend of approachability and authority, weaving everyday wear with just the right thread of power dressing.
Here’s how she does it…
Harriet, who is an NHS nurse, has a natural ability to bring a modern twist to royal style, swapping stiff, traditional tailoring for softer silhouettes and breezy fabrics.
From her pale blue linen dress at Wimbledon to the relaxed white cheesecloth co-ord in her engagement photos, her choices exude effortless elegance.
She favours softer, approachable textures over heavily formal attire, as seen in the lightweight embroidered pieces she selects for summer events and the flowing skirts she wears to outdoor occasions.
It is clear Harriet champions British brands by consistently spotlighting homegrown labels in her public appearances.
At Wimbledon, she wore a pale blue co-ord set by Wiggy Kit, pairing it with an Aspinal of London bag that added structured elegance to her look.
She has also stepped out in footwear by Penelope Chilvers — a conscious effort that would no doubt earn the approval of Princess Kate, who is well known for supporting and re-wearing pieces from British designers, and who has been spotted in the brand alongside Duchess Sophie and her mother, Carole Middleton.
Structured accessories, such as the boxy Aspinal of London bag Harriet carried at Wimbledon or the clean-lined totes she often favours, bring polish and definition to her softer, more relaxed outfits.
They stop breezy linen or flowing skirts from feeling too casual, striking a perfect balance between ease and elegance.
It is this skill in pairing approachable textures with crisp, structured pieces that makes her my style muse, proving that refinement and comfort can go hand in hand.
Harriet embodies everything I admire in modern royal style, and I believe there is much more to come — the countdown to her wedding dress moment is most definitely on.
