Harriet Sperling, the new daughter-in-law of Princess Anne, has shared details of her integration into the Royal Family since her wedding to Peter Phillips in June. In an interview with Hello! magazine, Sperling described her initial nerves before meeting the Princess Royal for the first time, an encounter that ultimately proved to be relaxed and pleasant.
Sperling recounted the meeting took place in the gardens of Gatcombe Park, Princess Anne's estate in Gloucestershire, where they shared cups of tea. "There were always going to be initial nerves about meeting anyone’s family members, but I am quite a calm person," Sperling told the publication. She added that the Princess Royal is "brilliant, really good fun and straight-talking," and expressed feeling "very lucky to be a part of the family."
Princess Anne's generosity was also highlighted, as she permitted the couple to hold their wedding reception on the Gatcombe estate, Peter Phillips's childhood home. Sperling praised her mother-in-law's dedication to public service, noting that the Princess Royal sets "an amazing example with her work ethic."
Beyond her relationship with her mother-in-law, Sperling also spoke about bonding with Catherine, the Princess of Wales. She mentioned meeting Catherine and Prince William while on holiday in the Scilly Isles, where their children also spent time together. "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," Sperling said.
Sperling, a former NHS specialist nurse, also revealed that her engagement to Peter Phillips was a complete surprise. He proposed on July 25, 2025, during a beach holiday with a diamond ring from Pragnell, the royal jewellers. The proposal, which she described as a "magical moment," was the "best-kept secret ever."
Since marrying Phillips, Sperling has left the NHS and taken up her first royal patronage as a patron of Home-Start Cotswolds, a charity supporting families with young children. The couple's wedding in June was attended by numerous royals, including the King and Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales. Sperling made her official debut as a member of the Royal Family at Royal Ascot shortly after the wedding. The full interview is available in the current issue of Hello! magazine.