Harriet Sperling's Vintage-Inspired Wedding Dress Is The Ultimate Style Tip For Brides Over 40
Move over muted shades and asymmetrical necklines, Harriet Sperling's beautiful wedding gown is proving that classic styles still reign supreme for brides over 40. The 45-year-old nurse wed Peter Phillips, Queen Elizabeth's oldest grandson, on June 6, with the two exchanging vows in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England. Naturally, many royals turned out for the momentous occasion, including King Charles III and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Sperling walked down the aisle in a dress designed by Emilia Wickstead, a fashion house favored by royals like Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. The column gown was constructed with Italian crêpe, featuring a square neckline overlaid with French lace that created a high-neck and long sleeves. "The clean, elongated train serves as a defining design element, lending the gown a timeless elegance while maintaining a distinctly modern sensibility," a press release explained, per People. The bride completed her wedding day look with a pair of pointed-toed heels from Jimmy Choo, a sparkling tiara from Pragnell, and a bouquet of sweet peas, myrtle, and lily of the valley.
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Similar to many of the best royal dresses of the modern era, this wedding day ensemble favors timeless style elements over contemporary trends. The sheath silhouette balances straight lines with a figure-skimming cut, while the lace channels soft elegance as a long-time staple of bridalwear. In addition to its emphasis on timeless elegance, Sperling's head-turning wedding look goes even deeper.
The hidden details of Harriet's wedding dress that are full of meaning
Harriet Sperling's wedding gown was all elegance and sophistication, but her special day was also rife with sentimental touches. For starters, commentators drew comparisons between the new royal's gown and Kate Middleton's bridal ensemble. The biggest similarity between the two looks is the long sleeves made of lace, with both brides likely being influenced by the iconic celebrity wedding dress that serves as a bridal blueprint.
Additionally, the lace on Sperling's dress was crafted with sentimentality in mind. The Leavers lace is woven with prairie flowers reminiscent of those from Gloucestershire, as both the bride and groom grew up in the ceremonial county. This motif was also used to trim the accompanying veil. Sperling's bouquet was similarly packed with meaning, carrying on a royal tradition while paying tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Florist Millie Richardson informed The Telegraph that lily of the valley was included because of its "regal connotation," as it was featured in the late queen's coronation and wedding bouquets. The bride and groom's three daughters, who come from previous marriages, also wore the flower as bridesmaids. Myrtle has been included in royal weddings since the 1850s, with Sperling's bouquet being completed by the dainty floral alongside sweet pea. Overall, this royal fashion moment serves as a solid reminder to middle-aged brides to balance timeless classics with personal touches for the ultimate look.