Peter Phillips and fiancée Harriet Sperling mark major first with Sandringham church outing – best photos

Though King Charles’ nephew Peter and his fiancée Harriet were absent from the Christmas Day service and walkabout, the outing for Sunday mass marks the NHS nurse’s first Christmas at Sandringham. The royal bride-to-be looked glorious in a houndstooth coat and a matching skirt, which was cinched at the waist with a tie belt. 

She also donned suede knee-high boots, a twist-detail headband, and carried a woven burgundy clutch to match the deep purple accents in her co-ord. Peter beamed as he walked alongside his wife-to-be.

The couple announced their engagement in August, sharing their first photos exclusively with HELLO!. A statement issued for the couple by Gerard Franklin, read: “Mr Peter Phillips, the son of HRH The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips and Ms Harriet Sperling, daughter of the late Mr Rupert Sanders and Mrs Mary Sanders of Gloucestershire, have today confirmed their official engagement.

“Both families were informed jointly of the announcement and were delighted with the wonderful news of their engagement. Their Majesties The King and Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales, have been informed of the announcement. No date has been officially set for the wedding.”

King Charles, 77, was all smiles as he stepped out to attend mass. He waved at the crowds of people who had gathered to see the royal arrivals, while wearing a smart winter coat and tan suede dress shoes to match.

Supporting her brother, the King, Princess Anne made an appearance alongside her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Anne oozed luxury in a chocolate brown coat and matching fringed boots, as well as a small fur hat.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were also invited along. Sophie, 60, looked wonderful in an oatmeal-hued wool coat (perfect for the chilly winter day in Norfolk) and paired it with camel boots and a matching fedora hat.

David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon, and his daughter Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones, whom he shares with his ex-wife, Serena Armstrong-Jones, Countess of Snowdon, also showed up for the post-Christmas service. 

David is the son of the late Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones and the brother of Lady Sarah Chatto. His 23-year-old daughter, Lady Margarita, is a jewellery designer and has previously spent Christmas at Sandringham, including in 2006 when she headed into church holding the hand of Prince William.

Of the influence of her late grandmother on her designs, Lady Margarita told HELLO! exclusively in April: “I think her style is loved by everyone. I suppose it does play into me, but not solely. I think everyone’s different, and I do look up to her, but I do what comes naturally to me.”

The second youngest royal in attendance, Charles Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley, made an appearance. Charles is the grandson of the late Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, making him the great-grandson of King George VI. The 26-year-old was educated at Eton before going on to study Product Design Engineering at Loughborough University.