Almost every royal wedding has seen the bride swap her wedding dress for a different evening look. While photos of the Duchess of Sussex's halterneck Stella McCartney dress and the Princess of Wales' strapless princess gown by Alexander McQueen have been released, we have yet to see the latest bride, Harriet Sperling, in her second wedding dress.
But have we actually already seen the design? The NHS nurse looked radiant as she stepped out at All Saints' Church in Kemble to exchange vows with Peter Phillips on 6 June. Not letting the rain dampen her spirits, she sported a wide grin as she posed for photos in a lace column dress by Emilia Wickstead, teamed with the Pragnell tiara, which secured her cathedral veil in place on top of her chic bun.
In a deep dive into the design and development of the gown, the designer took to Instagram to share more hidden details.
"Harriet’s bespoke wedding gown was crafted entirely by our in-house team at our West London atelier, using exceptionally fine French Leavers Lace dating to the early 1900s.
"A square-neck column underdress is paired with a delicately cropped over-jacket that sits just above the waist, while an early 19th-century-inspired three-meter train, flat and linear in silhouette, falls directly from the waist beneath the square cut-out back," the caption read.
On closer inspection, this sheer lace overlay offered a modest, traditional look for the church, while potentially allowing the bride to easily remove it for an entirely different wedding party look. Without it, Harriet's arms would be exposed for easier movement on the dance floor, and pretty features such as the cut-out back would be on display.
Fans spotted this potential trick, with one writing in the Instagram comments: "Was she able to take the lace jacket off if she wanted?" and another adding: "Really nice and they both looked very happy!! I would love to see the under-dress look without the lace just out of curiosity."
© Getty ImagesRoyal hack
Should Harriet have chosen the quick switch-up, which would only have taken her away from guests for a short period of time, then she wouldn't be the only royal to wear a two-in-one design.
© GettyThe Duchess of Edinburgh, for example, wore a silk organza coat dress decorated with over 325,000 pearls and crystal beads by Samantha Shaw, which she later removed to reveal another similar dress underneath.
Sophie was pictured leaving her reception in a fitted long-sleeved gown with a sparkly waist. Designer Samantha later admitted to Tatler: "There was an evening dress under the coat dress, which was to remain super private for the evening dinner, and I had to get the fabric perfectly dyed to colour-match the beautiful stone of St George’s Chapel. Getting up there without being noticed was fun – and also a huge challenge."
Similarities to Princess Kate
© GettyWith sheer lace sleeves, Harriet's bridal look reminded many of Princess Kate’s 2011 gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and famously featuring a lace-appliqué bodice.
However, Sammy of Royal Fashion Police said that her choice of gown was actually a great reflection of the bride's style, epitomised by timeless silhouettes.
"As for Emilia Wickstead, I think it was a very logical choice. Beyond the obvious connection to Catherine, Princess of Wales, Emilia Wickstead is renowned for exceptional craftsmanship, elegant tailoring and a well-established bridal collection," the fashion expert told HELLO!.
"Her bridal designs are known for their clean lines and timeless silhouettes, all qualities that align perfectly with Harriet’s style. Given Harriet’s preference for classic royal dressing, Emilia Wickstead felt less like a surprising choice and more like a natural fit."
