The bride, 45, tied the knot with Peter at All Saints Church in Kemble, Cirencester, close to where she grew up

© Getty Images

Harriet Sperling paid a touching tribute to Peter Phillips’ late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at their wedding on Saturday.

The bride, 45, tied the knot with Peter at All Saints Church in Kemble, Cirencester, close to where she grew up.

NHS nurse Harriet selected Lily of the Valley for inclusion in her bouquet, a flower said to be a favourite of Her late Majesty.

Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling depart from their Royal wedding© Getty
Harriet included Lily of the valley in her flowers as tribute to the late Queen

The bell-shaped flower, which has a sweet scent, grows within Buckingham Palace’s 39-acre gardens.

Lily of the valley held special significance for Elizabeth, having featured in her 1947 wedding to Prince Philip and her Coronation arrangements in 1953.

Royal tradition

Harriet also included a small sprig of myrtle among the blooms, a tradition observed by royal brides for generations.

“Lily of the valley was definitely requested for its regal connotation,” florist Millie Richardson told the Telegraph. “Myrtle is a symbol of beauty, grace and love and was requested on the same basis. It’s always included in every royal wedding bouquet.”

Harriet wore diamond earrings and a tiara, both by Pragnell© Samir Hussein/WireImage
The late Queen chose lily of the valley for her wedding and coronation

She added that the bridesmaids’ headpieces were also designed to feature the lily of the valley blooms.

“They will be wearing nigella (love-in-a-mist) as it’s a seasonal-appropriate flower and Harriet loves blue. She loves the pale sky blue tone,” Ms. Richardson said.

Blushing bride

Harriet chose a column-style dress with a lace neckline and sleeves, and a dramatic train designed by Emilia Wickstead.

In the lead-up to the big day, there were questions over whether Harriet would wear a tiara, a decision that must be approved by the royal family. As Peter’s mother, Princess Anne, famously declined royal titles for her children upon Peter’s birth in 1977, Harriet does not inherit a royal title through her marriage. However, precedent was set in 2008 when Peter’s first wife, Autumn Kelly, wore Princess Anne’s antique Festoon tiara.

© Samir Hussein/WireImage
The bridesmaids’ headpieces were also designed to feature the lily of the valley blooms

With the close blessing of the Princess Royal, Harriet wore a dazzling, vintage diamond and pearl tiara loaned by Pragnell, the same British jeweller behind her stunning engagement ring and wedding earrings.

Peter and Harriet were supported by their bridal party, including his teenage daughters from his first marriage to Autumn Kelly – Savannah, 15, and Isla, 14 – and Harriet’s daughter, Georgina.

The groom’s divorced parents, the Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips, his stepfather Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, his sister Zara Tindall and her husband Mike, were seen among the guests.

The King and Queen were also in attendance, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and their respective husbands, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank.

SOURCE: https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/905960/harriet-sperlings-tribute-late-queen-on-wedding-day-revealed/