Future royal bride Harriet Sperling is being put through the “Balmoral Test” after joining the Royal Family in the Scottish Highlands for the first time.
The 45-year-old NHS nurse became engaged to the King’s nephew Peter Phillips, 47, earlier this summer after just over a year of dating.
She is now spending time at Balmoral, where she has been welcomed into the wider royal circle.
Ms Sperling, a mother of one, has been bonding with Zara Tindall and her children during bike rides on the estate’s electric-powered mountain bikes.
Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling posing after their engagement
|i5 MEDIA/PA WIRE
She has also taken part in horse riding with other royals during the family’s summer retreat.
Balmoral is one of the few times each year when the extended Royal Family gathers away from official duties.
The so-called Balmoral Test has become part of royal lore, featuring in portrayals of Princess Diana’s early days with the late Queen and Prince Philip, including in the Netflix drama The Crown.
A source told the Sun: "Everyone knows Peter is smitten and his family have accepted Harriet into the set up so she will likely pass the infamous Balmoral Test with flying colours."
King Charles and Queen Camilla are currently in Balmoral | PAMr Phillips, Princess Anne’s son, announced earlier this month that he had proposed.
A statement released on behalf of the couple said: "Both families were informed jointly of the announcement and were delighted with the wonderful news of their engagement. 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."
Ms Sperling, first linked to Mr Phillips in reports last summer, is not the first royal partner to undergo Balmoral scrutiny.
Princess Diana famously impressed on her debut visit to the Highlands.
The King is understood to see the summer trip as a 'happy' stay in Balmoral Castle | GETTYPrincess Kate travelled to Balmoral in 2009, two years before her marriage to Prince William. Her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, joined the family the following summer on a shooting weekend, with Carole even being driven back to the castle personally by the late Queen.
The tradition also extends to political leaders, with the Prime Minister invited each summer.
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to travel next month, following in the footsteps of David Cameron, who once said there was no time for “chillaxing” during Balmoral stays.
The Royal Family typically spend their days walking, shooting and enjoying barbecues on the 53,000-acre estate.
Harriet Sperling and Peter Phillips began dating in 2024 | PAThe sprawling property allows both working royals and extended relatives to stay.
Prince Harry is not expected to join the family this summer despite speculation of reconciliation, while Prince Andrew has been staying at Craigowan Lodge, a mile from Balmoral Castle.
The Duke of York, facing renewed scrutiny following the release of a new book, was excluded from the Royal Family Christmas last year due to his links with an alleged Chinese spy.
The King, meanwhile, was formally welcomed to Balmoral on Monday, wearing his King Charles III tartan kilt to inspect Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland. He also took time to greet the regiment’s mascot, Shetland pony Cpl Cruachan IV.