Harriet Phillips, the new wife of Peter Phillips, has spoken publicly for the first time about meeting her mother-in-law, Princess Anne, describing a relaxed garden encounter at Gatcombe that defied royal formality.
In an interview with Hello! magazine, the 46-year-old former NHS nurse, who married the King's nephew on June 6 this year in a Cotswolds ceremony, revealed the surprisingly ordinary circumstances of their first meeting.
A Relaxed First Encounter
"There were always going to be initial nerves about meeting anyone's family members, but I am quite a calm person," Harriet admitted. "We met in the garden at Gatcombe. It was really relaxed; we sat on garden benches having cups of tea. It couldn't have been nicer and was very similar to when Peter met my family."
Living on Princess Anne's Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire, Harriet has gained a close-up view of the royal's daily life and expressed strong admiration for her mother-in-law.
Praise for the Princess Royal
Making a touching claim about the 76-year-old royal's dedication, Harriet said: "She sets an amazing example with her work ethic. What I've seen is her tireless attention to local charities and her genuine interests."
"It's important to do things that match who you are, where you live and what your passions are. She has genuine areas of interest that she follows, and she's so well-respected in the family. She is incredibly loyal."
Harriet's comments mark her first-ever interview since joining the Royal Family, offering a rare personal perspective on life within the Firm and her relationship with Princess Anne.
