Princess Anne's daughter-in-law, Harriet Phillips, has described the Princess Royal as "generous" for helping make her wedding to Peter Phillips feel "special."
Speaking to Hello! in her first interview since joining the Royal Family, the former NHS nurse praised her mother-in-law for hosting the couple's private wedding reception at Gatcombe Park, the Princess Royal's estate, in June 2026.
A Wedding at Gatcombe Park
Harriet said: "I feel very lucky to be a part of the family. [Princess Anne is] brilliant, really good fun and straight-talking. She's incredibly generous - 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."
Princess Anne has lived at Gatcombe for nearly fifty years, with her children and their families also residing in other properties on the estate. The gesture echoes a family tradition, as Queen Elizabeth hosted Princess Anne and her ex-husband Captain Mark Phillips' reception at Buckingham Palace in 1973.
Stepping Away from the NHS
In the same interview, Harriet shared a major career update. After 24 years with the NHS, she is leaving the health service to take up a role with a private foundation, continuing her speciality in infant mental health. She has also become the official patron of Home-Start Cotswolds, a local charity supporting families with young children.
Harriet said: "It's been an enormous privilege to spend 24 years working in the NHS, and I've loved my career. It has taught me so much, professionally and personally. Over time, I've become increasingly passionate about promoting healthy brain development. If we can support parents during this critical early period, we have an opportunity to make a lasting difference for children. 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."
