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Sydney Morning Herald
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
How paediatric nurse Harriet Sperling became a royal fiancee
Sperling studied at St Mary's University in Twickenham, and became an NHS nurse specialising in paediatric care at Evelina London Children's Hospital. The Princess of Wales has been a patron of the hospital since 2018. Despite finding such an admirable vocation, in a 2009 interview with the Daily Mail for an article about young women and faith, Sperling confessed that her faith had become 'dormant' when she moved to the capital. She said: 'Somehow it didn't seem relevant to my life in London, going to famous nightclubs and spending a lot of time in Ibiza during the summer. I was a real party girl.' But the end of a seven-year relationship marked a turning point: 'I went to church as I felt there was something missing.' She chose St Paul's in Onslow Square, west London, Sperling said, because of its 'intimate feel' and its active engagement with the wider community. It had brought her a sense of fulfilment and peace, she said, adding: 'I pray not only on Sunday, but all the time, often just quietly to myself.' That helped her with her job, which could be 'quite stressful and emotionally engaging'. Sperling once told a magazine she had a particular passion for 'early brain development', and in 2010 she was part of a heroic medical team that helped save the life of critically ill baby Phineas, who had been struck down by a deadly virus. Speaking in 2012, Sperling said: 'Just 20 minutes after receiving the call to collect Phineas, the retrieval team were on our way in an intensive care ambulance.' In 2012, Sperling, who was previously married to fitness instructor Antonio St John Sperling, gave birth to her own child: daughter Georgia. But, writing for Christian magazine Woman Alive in March last year, she revealed that she had brought Georgia up on her own. 'Resources were scarce and the future was uncertain,' she said. 'Yet, in the absence of material security, I discovered the strength and life that comes from true, selfless love.' She said: 'My daughter and I journeyed 10 years with only each other. I liken us to an island and it has often felt hard to imagine anyone joining that island.' However, at around this time, someone new did enter her life. Sperling reportedly met Phillips, 47, at a sporting event involving their similarly aged children. Phillips has two daughters, Savannah, 14, and Isla, 13, with his Canadian ex-wife Autumn Kelly (the pair divorced in 2021). Phillips and Sperling's public debut in May 2024 at the Badminton Horse Trials was also a family affair, attended by Phillips's daughters, his sister Zara Tindall and her husband Mike, and the Queen. It was Sperling's first time in the media spotlight, yet she appeared to take it all in her stride. A friend of Phillips told The Telegraph the pair were 'enjoying each other's company and spending time together like any normal couple', while an onlooker said of Sperling: 'She looked very happy and relaxed in his company and pleased to be shown off at one of the biggest social events in the equestrian world.' Sporting occasions played a large part in the couple's summer of love. In the June, they were spotted in the VIP tent at the Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire, and that month they also attended Royal Ascot, where Sperling met the King and Queen. One year on from their first public outing, Sperling and Phillips returned to the Badminton Horse Trials, this time cheering on Zara Tindall, who was being awarded the event's Armada Dish. Sperling also joined the family at the Bahrain Grand Prix in April, where she spent time with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie; in Wimbledon's royal box, alongside the Queen; and at the Royal Charity Polo Cup in Windsor, in support of Prince William. But it was another event that truly cemented Sperling's place as a future royal bride. In June, she made her royal carriage debut in the procession at Ascot, accompanying Phillips in carriage three. That suggested Sperling, who appears to have slotted naturally into the Firm, had been given the official seal of approval. Even so, it was a surprise on Friday when she and Phillips announced their betrothal. The news came via Hello! magazine, which published two photographs of the couple (in which Sperling showed off her diamond engagement ring, estimated by one expert to cost at least £10,000) shortly after Phillips and Sperling had spoken to the King and Queen. The choice of magazine prompted reminders of Phillips's first wedding, in 2008, when he caused controversy by selling the exclusive photographic rights to Hello! for a reported £500,000, allegedly angering the late queen, who had not been consulted in advance. The pictures marking Phillips' and Sperling's engagement, however, are said to have been taken privately and it is understood no commercial arrangement was made with Hello! or any other publication. The couple have yet to announce a date for their wedding. Leading designers will surely be champing at the bit to dress Sperling. She has won praise for the elegant way in which she mixes high street brands such as Zara with royal-approved British designers. In her engagement photos, Sperling is wearing a white cheesecloth top and skirt set by Me+Em, a home-grown label favoured by the Princess of Wales. Loading It's likely that the couple's new blended family will be highlighted in the ceremony, perhaps with their three daughters acting as bridesmaids. Savannah and Isla previously took that role at Princess Eugenie's wedding in 2018. As both an elegant figure, coolly unfazed by public duties, and a hard-working NHS nurse and single mother, Sperling is the ideal fit for a gradually modernising institution. It appears she's not just a great match for Phillips: she could be the royal family's shining new star.
Sydney Morning Herald
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
How paediatric nurse Harriet Sperling became a royal fiancée
Sperling studied at St Mary's University in Twickenham, and became an NHS nurse specialising in paediatric care at Evelina London Children's Hospital. The Princess of Wales has been a patron of the hospital since 2018. Despite finding such an admirable vocation, in a 2009 interview with the Daily Mail for an article about young women and faith, Sperling confessed that her faith had become 'dormant' when she moved to the capital. She said: 'Somehow it didn't seem relevant to my life in London, going to famous nightclubs and spending a lot of time in Ibiza during the summer. I was a real party girl.' But the end of a seven-year relationship marked a turning point: 'I went to church as I felt there was something missing.' Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling at The Royal Charity Polo Cup. Credit:She chose St Paul's in Onslow Square, west London, Sperling said, because of its 'intimate feel' and its active engagement with the wider community. It had brought her a sense of fulfilment and peace, she said, adding: 'I pray not only on Sunday, but all the time, often just quietly to myself.' That helped her with her job, which could be 'quite stressful and emotionally engaging'. Sperling once told a magazine she had a particular passion for 'early brain development', and in 2010 she was part of a heroic medical team that helped save the life of critically ill baby Phineas, who had been struck down by a deadly virus. Speaking in 2012, Sperling said: 'Just 20 minutes after receiving the call to collect Phineas, the retrieval team were on our way in an intensive care ambulance.' In 2012 Sperling, who was previously married to fitness instructor Antonio St John Sperling, gave birth to her own child: daughter Georgia. But, writing for Christian magazine Woman Alive in March last year, she revealed that she had brought Georgia up on her own. 'Resources were scarce and the future was uncertain,' she said. 'Yet, in the absence of material security, I discovered the strength and life that comes from true, selfless love.' She said: 'My daughter and I journeyed 10 years with only each other. I liken us to an island and it has often felt hard to imagine anyone joining that island.' However, at around this time, someone new did enter her life. Sperling reportedly met Phillips, 47, at a sporting event involving their similarly aged children. Phillips has two daughters, Savannah, 14, and Isla, 13, with his Canadian ex-wife Autumn Kelly (the pair divorced in 2021). Phillips and Sperling's public debut in May 2024 at the Badminton Horse Trials was also a family affair, attended by Phillips's daughters, his sister Zara Tindall and her husband Mike, and the Queen. It was Sperling's first time in the media spotlight, yet she appeared to take it all in her stride. A friend of Phillips told The Telegraph the pair were 'enjoying each other's company and spending time together like any normal couple', while an onlooker said of Sperling: 'She looked very happy and relaxed in his company and pleased to be shown off at one of the biggest social events in the equestrian world.' Sporting occasions played a large part in the couple's summer of love. In the June, they were spotted in the VIP tent at the Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire, and that month they also attended Royal Ascot, where Sperling met the King and Queen. One year on from their first public outing, Sperling and Phillips returned to the Badminton Horse Trials, this time cheering on Zara Tindall, who was being awarded the event's Armada Dish. Sperling also joined the family at the Bahrain Grand Prix in April, where she spent time with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie; in Wimbledon's royal box, alongside the Queen; and at the Royal Charity Polo Cup in Windsor, in support of Prince William. But it was another event that truly cemented Sperling's place as a future royal bride. In June, she made her royal carriage debut in the procession at Ascot, accompanying Phillips in carriage three. That suggested Sperling, who appears to have slotted naturally into the Firm, had been given the official seal of approval. Even so, it was a surprise on Friday when she and Phillips announced their betrothal. The news came via Hello! magazine, which published two photographs of the couple (in which Sperling showed off her diamond engagement ring, estimated by one expert to cost at least £10,000) shortly after Phillips and Sperling had spoken to the King and Queen. The choice of magazine prompted reminders of Phillips's first wedding, in 2008, when he caused controversy by selling the exclusive photographic rights to Hello! for a reported £500,000, allegedly angering the late queen, who had not been consulted in advance. The pictures marking Phillips' and Sperling's engagement, however, are said to have been taken privately and it is understood no commercial arrangement was made with Hello! or any other publication. The couple have yet to announce a date for their wedding. Leading designers will surely be champing at the bit to dress Sperling. She has won praise for the elegant way in which she mixes high street brands such as Zara with royal-approved British designers. In her engagement photos, Sperling is wearing a white cheesecloth top and skirt set by Me+Em, a home-grown label favoured by the Princess of Wales. Loading It's likely that the couple's new blended family will be highlighted in the ceremony, perhaps with their three daughters acting as bridesmaids. Savannah and Isla previously took that role at Princess Eugenie's wedding in 2018. As both an elegant figure, coolly unfazed by public duties, and a hard-working NHS nurse and single mother, Sperling is the ideal fit for a gradually modernising institution. It appears she's not just a great match for Phillips: she could be the royal family's shining new star. The Telegraph, London
The Age
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
How paediatric nurse Harriet Sperling became a royal fiancée
Sperling studied at St Mary's University in Twickenham, and became an NHS nurse specialising in paediatric care at Evelina London Children's Hospital. The Princess of Wales has been a patron of the hospital since 2018. Despite finding such an admirable vocation, in a 2009 interview with the Daily Mail for an article about young women and faith, Sperling confessed that her faith had become 'dormant' when she moved to the capital. She said: 'Somehow it didn't seem relevant to my life in London, going to famous nightclubs and spending a lot of time in Ibiza during the summer. I was a real party girl.' But the end of a seven-year relationship marked a turning point: 'I went to church as I felt there was something missing.' She chose St Paul's in Onslow Square, west London, Sperling said, because of its 'intimate feel' and its active engagement with the wider community. It had brought her a sense of fulfilment and peace, she said, adding: 'I pray not only on Sunday, but all the time, often just quietly to myself.' That helped her with her job, which could be 'quite stressful and emotionally engaging'. Sperling once told a magazine she had a particular passion for 'early brain development', and in 2010 she was part of a heroic medical team that helped save the life of critically ill baby Phineas, who had been struck down by a deadly virus. Speaking in 2012, Sperling said: 'Just 20 minutes after receiving the call to collect Phineas, the retrieval team were on our way in an intensive care ambulance.' In 2012 Sperling, who was previously married to fitness instructor Antonio St John Sperling, gave birth to her own child: daughter Georgia. But, writing for Christian magazine Woman Alive in March last year, she revealed that she had brought Georgia up on her own. 'Resources were scarce and the future was uncertain,' she said. 'Yet, in the absence of material security, I discovered the strength and life that comes from true, selfless love.' She said: 'My daughter and I journeyed 10 years with only each other. I liken us to an island and it has often felt hard to imagine anyone joining that island.' However, at around this time, someone new did enter her life. Sperling reportedly met Phillips, 47, at a sporting event involving their similarly aged children. Phillips has two daughters, Savannah, 14, and Isla, 13, with his Canadian ex-wife Autumn Kelly (the pair divorced in 2021). Phillips and Sperling's public debut in May 2024 at the Badminton Horse Trials was also a family affair, attended by Phillips's daughters, his sister Zara Tindall and her husband Mike, and the Queen. It was Sperling's first time in the media spotlight, yet she appeared to take it all in her stride. A friend of Phillips told The Telegraph the pair were 'enjoying each other's company and spending time together like any normal couple', while an onlooker said of Sperling: 'She looked very happy and relaxed in his company and pleased to be shown off at one of the biggest social events in the equestrian world.' Sporting occasions played a large part in the couple's summer of love. In the June, they were spotted in the VIP tent at the Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire, and that month they also attended Royal Ascot, where Sperling met the King and Queen. One year on from their first public outing, Sperling and Phillips returned to the Badminton Horse Trials, this time cheering on Zara Tindall, who was being awarded the event's Armada Dish. Sperling also joined the family at the Bahrain Grand Prix in April, where she spent time with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie; in Wimbledon's royal box, alongside the Queen; and at the Royal Charity Polo Cup in Windsor, in support of Prince William. But it was another event that truly cemented Sperling's place as a future royal bride. In June, she made her royal carriage debut in the procession at Ascot, accompanying Phillips in carriage three. That suggested Sperling, who appears to have slotted naturally into the Firm, had been given the official seal of approval. Even so, it was a surprise on Friday when she and Phillips announced their betrothal. The news came via Hello! magazine, which published two photographs of the couple (in which Sperling showed off her diamond engagement ring, estimated by one expert to cost at least £10,000) shortly after Phillips and Sperling had spoken to the King and Queen. The choice of magazine prompted reminders of Phillips's first wedding, in 2008, when he caused controversy by selling the exclusive photographic rights to Hello! for a reported £500,000, allegedly angering the late queen, who had not been consulted in advance. The pictures marking Phillips' and Sperling's engagement, however, are said to have been taken privately and it is understood no commercial arrangement was made with Hello! or any other publication. The couple have yet to announce a date for their wedding. Leading designers will surely be champing at the bit to dress Sperling. She has won praise for the elegant way in which she mixes high street brands such as Zara with royal-approved British designers. In her engagement photos, Sperling is wearing a white cheesecloth top and skirt set by Me+Em, a home-grown label favoured by the Princess of Wales. Loading It's likely that the couple's new blended family will be highlighted in the ceremony, perhaps with their three daughters acting as bridesmaids. Savannah and Isla previously took that role at Princess Eugenie's wedding in 2018. As both an elegant figure, coolly unfazed by public duties, and a hard-working NHS nurse and single mother, Sperling is the ideal fit for a gradually modernising institution. It appears she's not just a great match for Phillips: she could be the royal family's shining new star.
Sunday World
29-07-2025
- Sunday World
Deirdre Jacob's dad hopes he will get answers 'one day' 27 years on from disappearance
Michael Jacob made an emotional appeal for information 27 years after his daughter was last seen on Tuesday, July 28 near her home in Roseberry, Newbridge Deirdre Jacob's father has said he hopes the answer to his daughter's disappearance "will come one day'. Michael Jacob made an emotional appeal for information 27 years after his daughter was last seen on Tuesday, July 28 near her home in Roseberry, Newbridge. Deirdre who was only 18-years-old in 1998, had just completed one year at St Mary's University in Twickenham, London. On the day she went missing she had walked into Newbridge to get a bank draft to send to a college friend in London for their rent deposit. She was 5'3' in height with a slim build. She had grey/green eyes and dark, chin-length hair. Deirdre Jacob News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, July 29 Speaking on Kildare Today, Deirdre's father Michael Jacob said it does not feel like 27 years have passed. "Gardai are just as baffled as we are,' he said, adding that he often wonders where "those years have gone". However, he added that he knows in his heart that the "answer will come one day". Gardai previously outlined a timeline of the last moments Deirdre had been seen. At 2.14pm Deirdre was observed on CTTV walking on Main Street Newbridge. Four minutes later, at approximately 2.18pm she is observed in the AIB bank getting a £100 bank draft and leaves a short time later. At 2.26pm Deirdre is again observed again on CCTV queuing in the Post Office Newbridge where she seen at 2.32pm on CCTV speaking with a friend outside. At 2.35pm the last sighting of Deirdre is recorded on CCTV, walking outside the PTSB Bank on Main Street, Newbridge. Deirdre was last seen shortly after 3pm near her family home outside Newbridge. When she went missing on July 28, 1998, Deirdre was wearing a navy, V-neck t-shirt with a white trim on the collar and sleeves, navy or black straight jeans and blue Nike runners. Deirdre's parents Michael and Bernie Deirdre was carrying a distinctive black satchel type bag with long shoulder straps and the word CAT in large yellow capital letters on the side. The black satchel bag has never been located. On the 20th anniversary of her disappearance An Garda Síochána confirmed that the missing person investigation had been upgraded to a murder investigation. An Garda Síochána has submitted an investigation file on the murder of Deirdre Jacob to the Director of Public Prosecutions. No prosecution has been directed to date. The murder investigation continues to be conducted by gardaí from the Kildare Garda District, under a Senior Investigating Officer and with the available support of other resources from An Garda Síochána including the Serious Crime Review Team, as required. An incident room remains in place at Kildare Garda Station and An Garda Síochána regularly update Deirdre's parents, Michael and Bernadette and her family through a designated Family Liaison Officer. In 2022 it was revealed that convicted rapist Larry Murphy would not face charges in relation to the 1998 kidnap and murder of the teenager. A file on the case, with new evidence, was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in 2021. However, after new evidence was reviewed it was determined that charges would not be brought against the 'Beast of Baltinglass' who is a suspect in the crime. In 2018, her disappearance was upgraded to murder with gardai saying that they had received vital new "credible and corroborated" information that led to Larry Murphy becoming the chief suspect in the murder of the 18-year-old. Two years later in February 2020, gardaí prepared all their evidence in the case and sent a file linking Murphy to the murder of Deirdre Jacob to the Director of Public Prosecutions. In 2021 the DPP sent their file to a specialist barrister for a "second opinion" on the case. However, gardai told the Sunday World in 2022: 'As part of this investigation, a file was forward to the DPP and recently returned with a direction of 'no prosecution'.' Deirdre's family and Garda investigation team urge any person or persons with information in relation to the murder of Deirdre Jacob to please come forward. An Garda Síochána are reminding the public that if you have information about Deirdre's murder, not to assume that we already know it, or that is has limited value. Anyone with information in relation to this investigation should contact the investigation team at Kildare Garda Station at 045 521222, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Tom's Guide
15-05-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Exercising during your period — what to do and what to avoid, according to experts
For anyone who menstruates, you'll know that your hormones can affect how you feel at different times in your cycle. However, did you know these hormones can also impact your athletic performance? If you didn't, you're not alone — a 2019 study conducted by researchers at St Mary's University in Twickenham, England, analyzed more than 14,000 female Strava members. 72 percent of women said they have never received any education regarding exercise and their menstrual cycle. This article is part of Tom's Guide's Women's Health Week — a series of content that explores how technology and the right workouts can support and empower women through every phase of life. If you have a 'normal' menstrual cycle — the monthly process where the rise and fall of certain hormones prepares your body for a possible pregnancy — then you will have, on average, 450 periods throughout a lifetime. So, it makes sense to understand what's happening in your body and how movement can help. Research has continually found that exercise can help to beat a bad mood and even boost dwindling energy levels. You might have heard about exercise cycling, but below we spoke to the experts on how best to exercise during your period. Although the average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days, it can be anywhere between 21 to 35 days long. Chloe Thomas, a personal trainer, women's health and mindset coach, and the founder of Chloe Inspires Coaching explains, 'The first day of your period bleed is day one of your cycle. This is when the hormones progesterone and oestrogen are at their lowest.' Next is the follicular phase, which begins once your period ends. 'Here, oestrogen is starting to rise again, which is why you typically have more energy,' says Chloe. Around halfway through your cycle, you enter the ovulation stage of your cycle. This is the shortest phase, but it is when you usually feel your best, as oestrogen peaks and the luteinising hormone surges. The surge of luteinising hormone causes the release of an egg from the ovary, known as ovulation. The egg travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. 'You may feel confident, strong, and focused with a high libido,' adds Chloe. Ovulation is the most fertile point of the menstrual cycle. After ovulation, you'll enter the luteal phase. 'This is when the hormone progesterone starts to rise and oestrogen starts to drop. You'll experience tiredness, cravings, bloating, and mood swings too,' explains Chloe. If no pregnancy has taken place, progesterone and oestrogen levels drop, triggering the start of menstruation. Then, the cycle begins again. 'It's important to note that we are all different and have different levels of hormones. Some women are more affected by Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) than others for example,' says Chloe. Hoping to lift your heaviest deadlift on day one of your period? While some women might find this easy, for others, bleed week is not a time for hitting those personal bests. Sarah Campus, a women's personal trainer, nutrition coach, and founder of LDNMUMSFITNESS says: 'Most women feel slightly weaker or less energised during the first couple of days of their period due to low oestrogen and progesterone. Plus, because you're losing blood, you're losing iron, which can impact endurance and strength, especially if your iron levels are already low.' Periods can also affect your sleep and mood, which can also make you feel weak and off your game. A study in the journal Sports Medicine found that muscle strength is highest in the days following a period, so letting your body rest for a few days is no bad thing. You'll come back stronger, ready to smash those big lifts! If you're feeling tired than usual during your period week, try walking, yoga, Pilates, or even gentle cycling. These low-impact ways to move require less energy than higher-intensity exercise. If you feel up to it, you can stick to a weight training plan, but Chloe explains that for some women, working with lower reps and using lighter weights might be more comfortable, especially during day one and two of your period. Chloe adds, 'I focus on progressive overload (gradually making workouts harder by increasing weight) in the follicular phase in the lead up to ovulation. I push hard with my sessions and weights, and I do more intense cardio workouts during this phase.' It's easy to skip the pre-exercise warm-up and the post-exercise cool-down, but during your period, they are more important than ever, as your muscles and joints will likely feel tighter and stiffer. Sarah says that during menstruation, your body goes through changes that could affect how you move and recover. 'Lower oestrogen levels mean less joint lubrication, which can lead to stiff joints. Prostaglandins — hormone-like chemicals released to help shed the lining of the uterus, which causes a period, can cause cramps, inflammation, and fatigue too.' Research in the American Journal of Sports Medicine found that hormone levels have an impact on knee joint laxity, with greater levels of stiffness occurring during the early parts of the cycle and decreased stiffness occurring during ovulation. 'Prioritise warm-ups and cool downs and spend extra time warming up to get blood flowing and prepare your muscles and joints,' says Sarah. 'Gentle stretching or foam rolling after exercise will help reduce tension and help you to recover.' But it's not all bad news, as while you might feel stiffer and more tired during your period week, your chances of actually developing an injury are lower during menstruation. Research from UCL, the University of Bath, and St. Mary's University found that female football players were six times more likely to experience a muscle injury in the days leading up to their period compared to when they were on their period. The foods you eat during your cycle, including your period, can have an impact on how you feel. Research has found that heavy periods can lead to a greater amount of lost iron, which is the most frequent cause of iron-deficient anaemia, where your body doesn't produce enough red blood cells because the level of iron in your blood is too low. 'You lose iron through menstrual bleeding, which can leave you feeling tired, dizzy, or weaker during workouts. Low iron equals less oxygen delivery to muscles, which in turn can lead to fatigue. Eat red meat, chicken, turkey, spinach, kale, broccoli, and lentils,' says Sarah. Enjoy magnesium-rich foods too, such as bananas, dark chocolate, leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, and crunchy almonds. 'Magnesium helps with muscle relaxation, reducing cramps and helping to beat bloating or water retention,' says Sarah. Research has found that a combination of 250 milligrams of magnesium plus 40 milligrams of vitamin B6 could help decrease PMS symptoms. These symptoms don't just occur before your period week, but they can linger on during menstruation too. Find vitamin B6 in foods such as chicken, salmon, sweet potatoes, and avocados. Although your period cravings might be screaming out for sugary foods, Sarah says that too many sugary snacks can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, which can leave you feeling irritable and lacking in energy, making exercise even harder. Ultimately, exercising during menstruation involves listening to your body. For some women, taking it easy and doing light, relaxing exercises such as stretching and yoga might be more preferable. For others, PMS might not be an issue, and exercise can continue as normal. Either way, understanding your hormones and your cycle, and taking rest when you need, could help you to come back stronger, fitter, and quicker.
