Princess Anne’s Generous Wedding Gesture Made Harriet Phillips’ Marriage to Peter Even More Special

Princess Anne has received heartfelt praise from her new daughter-in-law, Harriet Phillips, after making a generous gesture that gave her wedding to Peter Phillips an especially personal meaning. In her first interview since joining the Royal Family, Harriet revealed how the Princess Royal helped the couple celebrate their marriage at a place filled with family memories.

Peter and Harriet married in June 2026, holding their private wedding reception at Gatcombe Park, Princess Anne’s Gloucestershire estate.

Harriet Phillips Praises Princess Anne’s Generosity

Speaking to HELLO!, Harriet described her mother-in-law as warm, entertaining and refreshingly direct.

“I feel very lucky to be a part of the family,” she said.

“[Princess Anne is] brilliant, really good fun and straight-talking. She’s incredibly generous.”

Harriet explained that hosting the wedding reception at Gatcombe Park made the occasion particularly meaningful because Peter had grown up there.

“We had our wedding reception at Gatcombe, and it was amazing and special for Peter and I to have our wedding where he grew up,” she added.

Princess Anne has lived at Gatcombe Park for almost 50 years, with her children and their families also residing in properties on the estate.

Her decision to host the celebration also echoed a gesture made by her own mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who hosted Anne’s wedding reception with Captain Mark Phillips at Buckingham Palace in 1973.

Harriet Announces a Major Career Change After 24 Years

Alongside discussing her new family, Harriet revealed that she is leaving the NHS after 24 years of service.

The former nurse is moving to a private foundation, where she will continue working in her specialist field of infant mental health.

Reflecting on her career, Harriet said:

“It’s been an enormous privilege to spend 24 years working in the NHS, and I’ve loved my career.”

She explained that her experience had shaped her both professionally and personally, strengthening her interest in supporting healthy brain development during early childhood.

“If we can support parents during this critical early period, we have an opportunity to make a lasting difference for children,” she said.

Harriet described her move as a natural progression rather than a complete change in direction.

“Moving on feels like a natural step, rather than a complete change of direction – it’s a chance to take everything I’ve learnt and use it in a new way.”

Harriet Takes On a New Charity Role

Harriet has also become the official patron of Home-Start Cotswolds, a local charity offering friendship, practical assistance and support to families with young children.

The appointment reflects her longstanding professional commitment to infant mental health and helping parents during the early stages of family life.

Her new position with a private foundation will allow her to continue developing that work after more than two decades in the NHS.

As Harriet begins this next chapter, her reflections on Princess Anne reveal the warm welcome she has received from Peter’s family.

For Harriet, the opportunity to celebrate her marriage at the home where Peter grew up was more than a generous wedding gift. It made an already meaningful occasion even more special.