Harriet Sperling broke with royal tradition when she married Queen Elizabeth II's eldest grandchild, Peter Phillips, on Saturday. The NHS nurse, 45, eschewed royal jewels in favour of a tiara loaned from Pragnell, the luxury UK jeweller also behind her engagement ring and wedding earrings.
According to the jeweller's website, the stunning diamond and pearl headpiece has been owned by the Pragnell family for generations and has royal connections dating back almost a century. The diadem was present at the Coronations of both Queen Elizabeth II and her father King George VI, and bears a striking resemblance to Princess Anne's Greek Meander Tiara, Pragnell says.
Prior to Harriet and Peter's nuptials, it was widely expected that she would borrow a tiara from her mother-in-law's collection in the Royal Vault. Peter's first wife, Autumn Phillips, borrowed Anne's favourite Festoon Diamond Tiara when they got married in 2008, and Zara Tindall wore the Meander Tiara when she wed Mike Tindall in 2011.
The decision not to wear a royal jewel has divided royal fans. While the majority gushed that the bride looked "beautiful", others questioned why she couldn't wear a piece from the Royal Vault. "The Royal Family have so many beautiful tiaras in their vault. They couldn't lend her one?" one person shared on X.
The tiara call may have been prompted by the fact that this is not Harriet's first marriage. Before meeting King Charles' nephew in 2024, the paediatric nurse was married to fitness instructor Antonio St John Sperling, with whom she shares daughter Georgina. Both Princess Anne, 75, and Queen Camilla, 78, wore tiaras for their first weddings, but decided to forgo them for their second nuptials.
Last week, it was alleged that Camilla had attempted to block Harriet from accessing the royal jewels because she had no aristocratic blood. This is said to have annoyed Princess Anne, and she turned to her nephew, Prince William, 43, to override it. As reported by the Daily Express, a source told the Royal Insider Network that William had authorised a "total administrative lockdown of the Royal Vaults" to allow Harriet to wear a tiara if Anne decided to loan her one. It is expected that Anne will have given Harriet her blessing to wear the Pragnell Tiara.
Peter, 48, and Harriet said their vows in a private ceremony at the All Saints Church in Kemble, Gloucestershire, which is close to Anne's Gatcombe Estate. The bride wore a lace gown by New Zealand designer Emilia Wickstead, complete with long sleeves, a sophisticated high neckline, and a dramatic veil. Members of the Royal Family were in attendance, including the King and Queen, Prince and Princess of Wales, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
