This summer, there’s a new royal on the scene making waves. Her name? Harriet Sperling, an NHS nurse who is currently dating Princess Anne’s son, Peter Phillips. She made her public debut on the arm of Phillips cheering on his sister Zara Tindall at the Badminton Horse Trials last year. But this season’s calendar of royal events seems to mark a turning point for the royal pair and their relationship. Sperling has been pictured everywhere—including the carriage procession at Royal Ascot—and dressed to the nines. Here, everything you need to know about Sperling, from her relationship with Phillips to her royally-approved style.
The New Royal Girlfriend Everyone’s Talking About (& Why I Can’t Get Enough of Her Style)
Everything you need to know about Harriet Sperling
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Published Jul 25, 2025
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1. She Works for the NHS, But Also Writes
Sperling’s maiden name is Sanders, according to an online bio published on Women Alive, which also reveals she works as a Pediatric Nurse Specialist for the NHS and is based in Gloucestershire. “She is passionate about early brain development in babies and seeing children thrive,” it reads. The reason for her Women Alive bio? Sperling is also a freelance writer.
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2. She’s a Single Mom
About that freelance writing career: In an essay written for Women Alive, Sperling opens up about her journey as a single parent to her daughter, Georgina, who was born in 2012. “...Resources were scarce, and the future was uncertain,” she writes. “Yet, in the absence of material security, I discovered the strength and life that comes from true selfless love. A love that is able to be solely devoted to your child.”
She continues: “My daughter and I journeyed 10 years with only each other. I liken us to an island and it has often felt hard to imagine anyone joining that island.”
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3. She Met Peter at a Sporting Event
According to HELLO!, Peter and Harriet met at a sports event involving their respective daughters. (Peter is dad to Savannah, 14, and Isla, 13, from his previous marriage to Autumn Kelly, who he was married to for just over 12 years.) In fact, all three kids—Georgina included—are fairly close in age and have been seen together at a smattering of events recently.
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4. She Joined the Carriage Procession at Royal Ascot
It was Sperling’s first official appearance with the royal family: This past June, she rode in the carriage procession at Royal Ascot. (Last year, she attended, but she met up with Peter after the procession.) Throughout the occasion, Sperling was pictured chatting with everyone from Zara Tindall to Princess Anne.
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5. She’s as Stylish as Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle
Whether popping up at Royal Ascot or seated in the Royal Box at Wimbledon, Sperling is a stand-out—especially for her elegant and effortless-seeming style. For example, her look (a simple sleeveless shirtdress in a crisp white) at the recent Royal Charity Polo Cup in early July. Also, the soft blue co-ord set she wore to Wimbledon nearly mirrored Princess Beatrice. Like I said, Sperling’s style just as aspirational as the royals around her—and numerous royal fashion accounts are starting to clock her looks just like the rest of the royal fam. (I personally can’t wait to see what she wears next.)
