Harriet Sperling Gets One Thing Right That Meghan Markle Never Did — And Her Latest Outing Proves It
Royal Ascot offered a glimpse of Harriet Sperling's easy integration into the royal family — and fans definitely took notice!
Harriet Sperling may be a relatively new addition to the Firm, but she is already winning praise for her grounded demeanor and effortless ability to blend into her new life. During her latest appearance at Royal Ascot on June 16, she was seen comfortably mingling with her in-laws while embracing the event's traditions and protocols. Her natural fit and respect for the royal rulebook have also prompted fans to compare her to Meghan Markle, whose fraught relationship with protocol has long been a subject of public debate.
Royal Ascot marked Sperling and Peter Phillips' first major appearance as a married couple following their June 6 wedding in the Cotswolds. Sperling's inclusion in the carriage procession alongside Princess Anne was proof of how comfortably she had been welcomed into the family. The NHS nurse, who has navigated the challenges of divorce and single motherhood, attracted praise from royal watchers for her confidence and ease at the event. For some, her behavior stood in stark contrast to Markle's more complicated relationship with royal life, which was often marked by criticism of stringent protocols and her in-laws for allegedly giving her the cold shoulder when she tried to get to know them.
After Sperling's happy pictures from Royal Ascot were posted on X, royal watchers couldn't help but compare her humble approach to Markle's alleged disregard for tradition. A netizen scoffed, "Example to Meghan how outsiders can follow rules when marrying into the royal family and being a non-working royal!" In a similar vein, another sneered, "She seems to fit in perfectly....see it can be done. If only Markle had left her ego at the door & didn't want to be top dog..." Meanwhile, one chimed in, "The issue is not respect per se, her need to dominate and manipulate." As the comments poured in, another gushed, "Harriet looks elegant. Appreciative of her not being a human remora on her spouse."
Another detail about Sperling's appearance would likely have struck a chord with Markle. The NHS nurse had worn a similar shade of blue outfit to Queen Camilla, something that has traditionally been forbidden in the royal household, and something Markle had to follow. The Duchess of Sussex had revealed on her Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, that she would often wear muted or neutral tones to avoid diverting attention from the late Queen Elizabeth or any other senior female royals. The rule has since softened since King Charles and Camilla took to the throne.
