Just under three weeks have passed since Harriet Sperling married Peter Phillips in a beautiful countryside ceremony, and the NHS nurse seems to have taken to royal life like a duck to water.
Since tying the knot, Harriet has joined her new in-laws at Royal Ascot on two separate occasions and even rode in a royal carriage for the first time as part of the family, sitting alongside her mother-in-law, Princess Anne.
© WireImageHarriet was also seen chatting animatedly with her husband's sister, Zara Tindall, proving she's well and truly accepted into the family. We suspect Harriet will make more public appearances over the coming weeks, too, with the royals firm fixtures at Wimbledon, which kicks off on Monday.
© UK Press via Getty ImagesWhile Harriet appears to be a natural when it comes to fitting in with the royal family, it would be naïve to think that the transition into a far more public life than she's used to is without challenges.
Harriet Sperling's changing life
"Change of any kind comes with all kinds of challenges, and that is without all of the attention becoming a member of the royal family brings with it," says mental health expert Dr. Radha Modgil.
"Harriet may feel all kinds of things at the moment: anticipation, excitement, anxiety, and a sense of the weight of expectations. All of these feelings are completely appropriate and a normal way to feel given the big change she is going through," Dr. Radha continues.
© Getty ImagesNavigating royal life
Immersing oneself in royal life is notoriously hard, as Meghan Markle, another 'normal' person who married into the royal family, has spoken openly about, but Dr. Radha has some solid advice for anyone navigating such a momentous change.
"Being yourself, no matter who is telling you what to do or how to be, even if it is pressure that we are putting on ourselves, is one of the most important things in life for our self-esteem, for our sense of self, for the quality of all the choices we make in life, and for all of our relationships."
Harriet certainly seems to be being true to herself. During her appearances at Ascot, she seemed unguarded and open, chatting warmly and showing her emotions and excitement as she watched the races, rather than concealing how she was feeling.
© Getty ImagesHer commitment to being herself serves Harriet well as she navigates life in the public eye, notes Dr. Radha. "Authenticity acts like a compass when life gets tough; knowing who we are guides us in the right direction."
Staying in touch with reality
Dr. Radha adds that keeping people from her pre-royal life will be essential for Harriet in navigating her new reality. "Those special people in our lives who know us now and who knew us back when we were growing up or before life changed, can remind us of who we are."
In her new whirlwind world, Harriet is likely to be introduced to new experiences and ways of living on a daily basis (though Princess Anne's side of the family is known to be the most down-to-earth of the royals), but Dr. Radha notes that keeping in touch with the simple things in life is important, even when our lives are changing.
"Simple things that used to bring us joy help to bring us back to ourselves, as well as those special places or music that remind us of our true selves."
Harriet's values are crucial to navigating a new way of life, too. "Being clear about our values and what and who is important to us and living by those values also allows authenticity."
© Getty ImagesIn conclusion? "Ultimately, a good question to ask for all of us is, 'Who would I be if I were just me and no one else could see or question or judge; what would I do and how would I act?'
This simple question will allow Harriet to continue to embrace royal existence with grace, without losing touch with her previous life.
