Today marks the first day of a five-day meet that is the jewel in the crown of the British social season. Royals, It-girls, society swans and thousands of race-going revellers will gather for a week of unmissable action and unbeatable people watching.
It is also one of the finest occasions in the royal calendar, making it the perfect place for Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling – now Mr and Mrs Sperling – to make their debut as husband and wife.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were among the guests who gathered at All Saints Church in Kemble, Cirencester, for the couple’s wedding just over a week ago.
Also in attendance were Peter Phillips’ cousins, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, as well as his mother, Princess Anne, and his sister Zara Tindall, who was accompanied by her husband Mike and their daughters, Mia and Lena. In a delightful yet surprising turn of events, Princess Margaret‘s branch of the royal family were represented by Lady Sarah Chatto, her son Samuel Chatto and his girlfriend Eleanor Ekserdjian, as well as David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon, his daughter Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones and his girlfriend, Isabelle de la Bruyère, who made her most high-profile royal appearance to date.
The couple tied the knot on 6 June, with the likes of Prince William and the Princess of Wales on the guest list
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Of course, all eyes were on Harriet Sperling as she made her grand arrival in her lace wedding gown by Emilia Wickstead, which she accessorised with a pair of custom slingback shoes by Jimmy Choo. The dress, which featured a simple column design with dramatic lace overlay, long sleeves and high collar, was reminiscent of the Princess of Wales‘ wedding gown from 2011. The crowning moment was a new tiara by famed Mayfair jeweller Pragnell.