Latest news with #HarrietSperling
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Ascot 2025: Royals feel the heat as they face 32C temperatures at Ladies' Day on hottest day of the year so far
New royal favourite Harriet Sperling joked with the King on the hottest day of the year so far as she joined the family at Royal Ascot for the second time this week. But Peter Phillips ' NHS nurse girlfriend of more than a year kept her cool, despite Britain seeing highs of 32.2C at Kew, under an hour away, yesterday. Even King Charles was seen adjusting his tie in the tropical conditions as other racegoers cooled down with magnums of champagne and old-fashioned fans. And the going was stifling for the horses, who were doused in buckets of water as forecasters warned of a four-day heatwave set to see Britain turn hotter than Hawaii – with 34C (93F) expected in the South and East this weekend. Ms Sperling – who was honoured to join the monarch's carriage procession on Ascot's opening day – shone in a £725 'Sienna' lemon yellow dress from society favourite Beulah and a matching hat to keep the sun off. And all eyes were on her as she chatted easily with His Majesty, who looked delighted to see his nephew's girlfriend again. It will add fuel to rumours that an engagement may be on the cards – not least because Peter and Harriet were seen holding hands and kissing in the Royal Box. Paediatric specialist Harriet, 45, who has a daughter by a previous relationship, apparently met Princess Anne's son at a sporting event attended by both their children. She lives in Gloucestershire, as does Peter, 47, who has two daughters by Canadian ex-wife Autumn. There was certainly a family feel to yesterday's racing, with the King inviting the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh – who were celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary – to join him in the royal carriage procession down from Windsor Castle, along with his sister, Princess Anne, her husband Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, niece Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edo Mapelli Mozzi, as well his other niece Zara Tindall and her husband, Mike. Queen Camilla looked coolly elegant in a silvery blue coat dress by Anna Valentine and matching hat by Philip Treacy, along with the Jardine Star diamond brooch. The Berkshire racecourse has been enjoying record figures this week, and the King's other guests in his carriage – the Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury – were so impressed at the sight of the huge crowds, that the latter pulled her phone from her bag and started filming them as their landau thundered down the course to cheers. It was Ladies Day at the meet, which attracted a host of celebrities and punters dressed to the nines, including former model Jerry Hall, who attended with her son Gabriel Jagger and daughter-in-law Anouk Winzenried. But as the mercury soared to temperatures in excess of 32C –almost 90F – racegoers clad in their finery, including full morning suits for the men, began dropping like flies. At least one person was taken to hospital and more than 40 treated for heat-related illness. As the Hawaii-topping highs of 34C were predicted for tomorrow, in contrast, Honolulu, capital of the US Pacific Island state, is only forecast to reach 29C (84F), while Barbados should hit 32C (89F). Ha-Bea-ness: Princess Beatrice watched on excitedly from the royal box The last time Britain reached 34C in June was almost six years ago on June 29, 2019, at Northolt and Heathrow. The record for the month is 35.6C (96.1F) on June 29, 1957, at Camden Square, central London. As The UK Health Security Agency issued a four-day amber heat health alert from noon yesterday until 9am on Monday, even Newcastle-upon-Tyne is forecast to hit 31C (87.8F) tomorrow. The agency warns 'significant impacts are likely' across health and social care services because of high temperatures, including a rise in deaths – particularly among those aged 65 and over. An official heatwave is logged when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25-28C (77-82F) in different parts. Temperatures are set to fall back to the mid-20s by the start of next week.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
We've found Harriet Sperling's very expensive Ascot outfit on the high street - here's where to shop the royal look for as little as £130
As the partner of Peter Phillips, Harriet Sperling has become a familiar face at royal summer events. This week, she and Peter made a dazzling appearance at Royal Ascot, riding together in a carriage during the traditional procession. Harriet showcased her elegant style in a co-ord by Suzannah London, featuring a cream tweed cropped jacket paired with a matching A-line skirt. She completed the vintage-inspired look with a wide-brimmed hat by Awon Golding, along with an Emmy London clutch and coordinating court shoes. For those with a generous budget, Harriet's exact outfit is available to shop. But if you're looking for a more affordable option, we've curated a lookalike edit below. Shop Harriet's exact look Emmy London Claudia Mid Heels £495 Shop High street alternatives
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Peter Phillips' NHS nurse girlfriend wears £3,720 outfit to Royal Ascot - as she dresses head-to-toe in royal-approved brands
For most NHS nurses across the country, a hat costing just shy of £950 is out of the question. But Peter Phillips ' girlfriend, Harriet Sperling, stepped out of the royal carriage at Ascot yesterday in an outfit totting up to £3,720 - all from royal-approved brands. Harriet, 45, played the part perfectly in a Suzannah London ivory ensemble featuring a cropped jacket with puffed sleeves and matching skirt, costing £890 and £995 respectively. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was dressed by the same designer yesterday in an ivory appliqué daisy lace ensemble costing £3,780. Harriet paired her look with a £395 clutch and £495 mid heel pumps, both by Emmy London, a brand which has been worn by both Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Zara Tindall. While the clutch and heels were repeats, the rest of her outfit was new for Ascot. The most eye-watering cost of all was £945 Awon Golding Millinery hat she wore, a designer previously worn by Meghan Markle. Peter, 47, who is King Charles's nephew, has been dating Harriet for over a year, after breaking up with his previous partner of three years, Lindsay Wallace. Peter, 47, who is King Charles's nephew, has been dating Harriet for over a year, after breaking up with his previous partner of three years, Lindsay Wallace. And the invitation to join the prestigious procession can be seen as a seal of approval from the King and a very high honour. According to royal reporter Ian Lloyd, the late Queen Elizabeth didn't include royal girlfriends in the procession unless they were engaged. In 2022 Peter's ex-girlfriend Lindsay Wallace broke royal tradition with her Ascot appearance as she rode in a carriage despite the couple not being engaged. Harriet is reported to live in Gloucestershire and works as a Paediatric Nurse Specialist for the NHS. The average salary for this role can range between £37,000 to £58,000 per year. Last year, the couple packed on the PDA before meeting with the King and Queen, embarking on their new romance just weeks after his split from Lindsay. The smitten pair have since attended an array of high society events together, including Wimbledon and the Badminton Horse Trials - as well as Cheltenham Races in January. Yesterday, she appeared to be getting on swimmingly with the royals, chatting with Princess Anne on the balcony, while Peter's sister Zara Tindall was at one point seen helping out by fixing her hat. Zara - often regarded for her gregarious manner and popularity among the royal family - was seen exchanging casual greetings and hugs and kisses with the rest of the family. In 2010, Harriet was a key member of a team of medics, doctors and clinicians who helped save the life of a critically ill baby, named Phineas, after he was struck down by a deadly virus aged just three weeks. She featured in a unique tribute, created by Phineas' photographer father Michael Cockerham, which was published in the Guardian Weekend Magazine. The pediatric nurse is related to the Duke of Gloucester through her late father, The Telegraph reported previously. But her curious family ties do not stop there, as the paper also revealed that Harriet's second cousin once removed is Christopher Courage, 61, a descendant of the Courage Brewery's founder John Courage. While no information is available about her ex-husband, Harriet has a daughter, thought to be around the same age as Peter's girls, Savannah, 14, and Isla, 12, whom he shares with ex-wife, Autumn. Peter and Autumn ended their 13-year marriage with a divorce in 2020, but continue to co- parent their daughters. It seems that Harriet may have won the royal seal of approval with her pricey Ascot look. How to win royal approval at Ascot While no dress code rules apply in the Windsor Enclosure, although the majority of guests choose to dress up regardless, a strict dress code operates across the Royal and Queen Anne Enclosures. Hats are a must in both Royal enclosures. Alternatively, a headpiece or 'hatinator' with a minimum base diameter of four inches (10cm) is also acceptable. Dresses must be knee length or longer and forget spaghetti straps - all shoulders must be a minimum width of one inch (2.5cm). Strapless, off-the-shoulder and one shoulder items are also banned. Shorts of any kind are not permitted. But having been included in the dress code since 1971, trouser suits remain a popular choice - although they mustn't be mismatched. From 2017 onwards, jumpsuits have also been accepted as Ascot worthy, while men must stick to black dress shoes worn with ankle socks, but there are no footwear specifications for women.
