The essence
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Princess Anne's son, Peter Phillips, and paediatric nurse Harriet Spurling married at All Saints' Church in Kemble on 6 June.
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Sperling's bouquet, created by florist Millie Richardson, included sweet peas, myrtle and lily of the valley - Queen Elizabeth's favourite flower.
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The choice of myrtle for bouquets has been a tradition among royal brides since the 1850s.
As reported by The Telegraph , When it came time to choose flowers for the wedding bouquet, royal bride Harriet Spurling sweetly requested that the late Queen Elizabeth's favourite flower be included.
On June 6, during a private ceremony at All Saints' Church in Kemble, Spurling married Peter Phillips, the late Queen's grandson. She carried sweet peas, myrtle, and lilies of the valley in a bouquet designed by Millie Richardson. In a statement provided to the publication, InStyle , A spokesperson for the couple explained that myrtle is a family tradition for both Sperling and the royal family, "a symbol of love, beauty and peace.".
Harriet Sperling on her wedding day, June 6, 2026. Photo: Getty
Sperling also paid tribute to the late monarch by wearing an engagement ring designed by Pragnell, the same jeweler who designed the engagement ring for then-Princess Elizabeth when she became engaged to Prince Philip in 1946. Sperling also wore the family tiara and Pragnell earrings for her walk down the aisle.
The bride wore a lace sheath dress by Emilia Wickstead with a 3-meter train and a square neckline, which she complemented with Jimmy Choo pumps and her blonde hair pulled back into a low bun.
Richardson said The Telegraph newspaper , Sperling chose lily of the valley, a favourite plant of Queen Elizabeth, for her bouquet, which she complemented with creamy sweet peas, astilbe and jasmine, creating a bouquet that was described as "a bowl of cream".
Harriet Spurling and her bridesmaids upon arrival at All Saints' Church. Photo: Getty
Lily of the valley was featured not only in Princess Elizabeth's wedding bouquet in 1947, but also in Queen Elizabeth's coronation bouquet in 1953. As reported by The Telegraph , Lilies of the valley grow in the 39-acre grounds of Buckingham Palace, and their inclusion in Sperling's bouquet symbolised the "strong bond" between the late Queen and Phillips, who was her eldest granddaughter.
As reported by The Telegraph , The tradition of royal brides including myrtle in their bouquets has been around since the 1850s.
«"Lily of the valley was certainly commissioned for its royal significance," Richardson told the publication. "Myrtle is a symbol of beauty, grace, and love, and it was requested for that very reason. It's included in every royal wedding bouquet.".
Peter Phillips, Harriet Spurling, and their daughters after their wedding ceremony. Photo: Getty
Sperling's daughter, Georgina, and Phillips' daughters, Savannah and Isla, were bridesmaids and wore floral headpieces "made entirely from the lily of the valley flower," Richardson said.
Three teenagers carried small bouquets that included a nigella (also known as "love in a mist") in pale blue to match Phillips's boutonniere. Nigella was chosen because "it's a seasonal flower, and Harriet loves the color blue," Richardson said. "She likes the pale blue of the sky.".
Harriet Sperling holds a bouquet on June 6, 2026. Photo: Getty.
«"Many of the flowers are grown and produced in the UK," she continued. "They care about sustainability and the origin of their flowers, which is a big priority for the King Charles. Great care was taken in choosing the materials for this wedding.".
As reported The Telegraph newspaper , The color palette inside All Saints' Church combined white, cream, and light beige with "delicate shades of pale pink and seasonal Granny Smith greens." "Trees, shrubs, herbs, and English-grown flowers, sourced locally where possible, became part of the composition.".
Sperling found Richardson on Instagram, and the florist said of wedding flower design: "It's finding a balance between using seasonal materials and flowers to make the arrangements feel appropriate and fitting for the moment, and thoughtful and precise design to make them elegant enough for a major royal occasion.".
Princess Anne, June 6, 2026. Photo: Getty
And other sweet Easter references were everywhere, such as the image of the groom's mother, Princess Anne, who "radiated warmth despite the rain" (according to Hello! ), in a sunny yellow jacket worn over a red floral dress. In a "sweet touch of family nostalgia," Princess Anne wore a vintage yellow silk hat, a beloved family heirloom, which she wore at her daughter Zara's christening in 1981—45 years ago.
The back of Harriet Spurling's wedding dress, June 6, 2026. Photo: Getty
Following the wedding ceremony, the couple held a reception for guests at Anna's home, Gatcombe Park. As reported The Times , Sperling will change her last name to Phillips, but her daughter, Georgina, will keep the Sperling name after they marry.
Read the original article on InStyle.
