Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling have confirmed their engagement after a year of dating. The couple shared their news on Friday exclusively with HELLO! and released two photos which showed off Harriet's stunning engagement ring.
A statement issued for the couple by Gerard Franklin, read: "Mr Peter Phillips, the son of HRH The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips and Ms Harriet Sperling, daughter of the late Mr Rupert Sanders and Mrs Mary Sanders of Gloucestershire, have today confirmed their official engagement.
"Both families were informed jointly of the announcement and were delighted with the wonderful news of their engagement. Their Majesties The King and Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales have been informed of the announcement. No date has been officially set for the wedding."
© i5 MEDIAHarriet looked gorgeous in the photo, wearing a frilly white top and skirt, while her diamond ring sparkled as she proudly showed it off. She gazed lovingly at her husband-to-be, who wore a plaid top for the occasion.
HELLO's royal editor, Emily Nash, said: "This is wonderful news for Peter and Harriet, but also the wider royal family. Peter is close to the King and to his cousins and Harriet seems to have been warmly welcomed into the fold."
© James Whatling/Kelvin Bruce"The signs that this was serious have been there for some time and seeing Harriet taking part in the royal procession at Royal Ascot this year convinced many royal watchers an engagement was on the cards."
© James WhatlingMeanwhile, royal photographer James Whatling, who has photographed Peter and Harriet several times, tells HELLO!: "We were waiting for this news. You can't watch this couple for too long without noticing how close they are, they’re so tactile and they're clearly so in love. It was only a matter of time."
© WireImage2024 -
May
Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling make their first public appearance together at the Badminton Horse Trials in May 2024. They walk hand‑in‑hand, laughing during the cross‑country phase of the three-day event, and Harriet speaks to Queen Camilla!
June
Their second outing takes place at Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire, and a fellow attendee told HELLO!: "As they arrived at the polo, Peter was introducing Harriet to some of the guests, but she seemed to know quite a few people, so she's clearly been on the scene a little bit.''
September
They attend the launch of Tom Parker Bowles: Cooking & The Crown, where they are photographed talking with Queen Camilla sharing a joyous moment.
2025 -
April
Harriet accompanies Peter for one day at the Bahrain Grand Prix, along with his royal cousins Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, as well as Sarah Ferguson, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Jack Brooksbank. This marks Harriet's further integration into the extended family circle.
June
Harriet makes her first official appearance with the royal family in the carriage procession at Royal Ascot, day one. She rides alongside Peter and afterwards is seen speaking to many members of the family including Princess Anne and Zara Tindall.
July
The lovebirds attend day ten of Wimbledon seated in the Royal Box. In July, they also appear at the Royal Charity Polo Match supporting Prince William.
August
They announced their engagement on Friday 1st August and a statement issued for the couple read: "Mr Peter Phillips, the son of HRH The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips and Ms Harriet Sperling, daughter of the late Mr Rupert Sanders and Mrs Mary Sanders of Gloucestershire, have today confirmed their official engagement.'' No official date has been set for the wedding.
Dating history
Peter, who is the eldest child of Princess Anne, is believed to have started dating Harriet in 2024. The couple reportedly met at a sporting event.
The pair made their debut at the Badminton Horse Trials in May 2024, and they were seen walking hand-in-hand as they supported Peter's sister, Zara Tindall. At the time, a friend of Peter's said the royal has met someone "recently" and they are "spending time together", but it's too early to be anything more at this stage.
© Samir Hussein/WireImageAt Royal Ascot the following month, she met Peter's uncle, King Charles. Harriet, who is an NHS paediatrician and freelance writer, was seen drinking champagne with the monarch and Queen Camilla, clearly making a good impression on Peter's relatives.
Harriet continued making appearances with her beau, including at separate sporting events and a soiree thrown by Camilla's son, Tom Parker Bowles.
Previous relationships
Before meeting Harriet, Peter was married to Autumn Kelly, and the former couple share two daughters, Savannah and Isla. After marrying in 2008, Peter and Autumn confirmed their separation in February 2020, with their divorce settled in June 2021. It's understood that Autumn remained living in Gloucestershire, so that she and Peter can co-parent their daughters.
© Getty ImagesHarriet is also a mother to daughter Georgia, and she previously addressed the issues of being a single mother. "In the earlier years of my journey as a single mother to my daughter, resources were scarce, and the future was uncertain," she told Woman Alive.
"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."
Harriet's style file
Since making her public debut with Peter, Harriet has proven she fits right in with the royal ladies. Often flying the flag for British labels such as Beulah London, ME+EM and Penelope Chilvers, all eyes will be on the bride-to-be in the run up to her nuptials.
© Samir Hussein/WireImageHELLO!'s Royal Correspondent Danielle Stacey says: "Harriet's style is effortless but chic, from A-line summer frocks to printed tea dresses, she hasn't missed the mark and always dresses appropriately for the occasion.
"Some fashion watchers have even predicted that we're already starting to see the 'Harriet-effect,' with pieces she's coveted selling out fast.
© Getty"Thinking ahead to her wedding day, I'm certain she will choose a quintessentially British designer, perhaps someone up-and-coming and local to Gloucestershire."
