Harriet Phillips, who married Peter Phillips this summer in the Cotswolds, has described Princess Catherine as "open-hearted" and welcoming, directly contradicting a claim Meghan Markle once made about the Princess of Wales.
In a new interview with Hello! Magazine, Harriet spoke about her experience of joining the Royal Family, revealing that she and Peter met while watching their daughters play on the same sports team. She also shared her impressions of her royal in-laws, including Prince William and Princess Catherine.
Harriet on Catherine's Warmth
Harriet told Hello! that she has felt very welcomed by her husband's relatives. Speaking about Catherine, she said: "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."
Harriet also recalled the first time she met the Prince and Princess of Wales, saying: "I've had an incredible experience being welcomed in. We happened to be on holiday in the same place. 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."
Meghan's Past Comments
Harriet's description of Catherine as "open-hearted" and her feeling of being "welcomed" stands in contrast to comments Meghan Markle has made over the years, including her suggestion that Catherine was cold when they first met.
In episode two of the six-part docuseries Harry & Meghan on Netflix, the Duchess of Sussex said: "When Will and Kate came over, and I met her for the first time, they came over for dinner, I remember I was in ripped jeans and I was barefoot. I was a hugger. I've always been a hugger, I didn't realise that that is really jarring for a lot of Brits. I guess I started to understand very quickly that the formality on the outside carried through on the inside."
Other Rebuttals to Meghan's Portrayal
Meghan's comments that Catherine came across in a colder manner are the direct opposite of the impression Harriet has given about the princess. This is not the first time Meghan's portrayal of her sister-in-law has been challenged, with many people over the years claiming that the princess is very warm, including those who know her and members of the public.
Princess Catherine herself also appears to counter Meghan's claims, particularly when she meets members of the public, as she is always quick to shake hands and even hugs when requested, which goes against Meghan's claim that the princess finds hugging "really jarring".
