“She’s Very Open-Hearted”: Harriet Phillips Details Warm Royal Welcome and Princess Kate’s Mentorship
In a rare and candid interview, Harriet Phillips, the wife of Princess Anne’s eldest son Peter Phillips, has shared insight into her transition into royal family life, revealing how the Princess of Wales has become a trusted confidante and mentor.
The 46-year-old former NHS nurse tied the knot with Peter, 48, last summer in an intimate ceremony held on Princess Anne’s historic Gatcombe estate in Gloucestershire. Speaking to HELLO! magazine, Harriet opened up about navigating high-profile introductions with King Charles III and Queen Camilla, blending their families, and turning to Princess Kate as a pillar of support.
Seeking Guidance from the Princess of Wales
Addressing the pressures and adjustments that accompany marrying into the royal circle, Harriet pointed directly to Princess Kate as an accessible sounding board:
“I can look to Catherine for advice and guidance. She’s very open-hearted, and I would always feel comfortable asking her if I needed advice about something.”
Recalling her initial encounter with the Prince and Princess of Wales during a holiday in the Isles of Scilly, Harriet described an unpretentious, family-first environment:
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A Casual Introduction: “We happened to be on holiday at the same place in the Scilly Isles. It was great because the children were all jumping into the water at the same time. It was very casual, but there is a clear level of respect there.”
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Blended Ties: The couple’s relationship first sparked in early 2022 when Harriet’s daughter, Georgina, joined the same youth hockey team as Peter’s daughters, Savannah and Isla.
“Otherworldly Yet Familiar”: Meeting the King and Queen
Beyond low-key family gatherings, Harriet had to navigate the public spectacle of formal royal events, including her first meeting with the King and Queen at Royal Ascot alongside her daughter:
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Warmth from the Sovereign: “It was so lovely and relaxed and there was lots of laughter. You feel as though you’re meeting family, but at the same time, it feels otherworldly. Both the King and the Queen have been so welcoming to me and Georgina. I can’t thank them both enough.”
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The Wedding Pinch-Me Moment: Describing Charles and Camilla’s attendance at her Gatcombe wedding as surreal, Harriet revealed the couple broke royal protocol on the dessert table: swapping the traditional multi-tiered wedding cake for a giant artisanal tiramisu.
Stepping into Patronage: Supporting Families in the Cotswolds
Following a 24-year career as an NHS nurse, Harriet is leveraging her public profile to champion community healthcare and parental well-being as the newly appointed patron of Home-Start Cotswolds:
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A Personal Mission: Having raised Georgina as a single mother before meeting Peter, Harriet emphasized the importance of non-judgmental guidance for families in early childhood stages.
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Prioritizing Mental Health:“We often assume that parenting comes naturally, but the reality is that everyone needs support at different points. Home-Start offers vital, practical and non-judgmental support. Just having someone to listen to can make an enormous difference, especially given how closely a parent’s wellbeing is connected to a baby’s wellbeing.”
