Harriet Phillips Opens Up About Princess Kate’s Heartwarming Support As She Reveals What It’s Really Like Joining The Royal Family

Joining the Royal Family comes with its own set of challenges, but Harriet Phillips has revealed one royal she knows she can turn to whenever she needs advice — and her choice speaks volumes about the warm welcome she has received.

Harriet, 46, who married Princess Anne’s eldest son Peter Phillips, 48, last summer, has offered a candid glimpse into her new life among the royals. In a revealing interview, she opened up about her first encounters with senior members of the family, including King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales.

But it was her touching comments about Princess Kate that particularly stood out.

Speaking to HELLO! magazine, Harriet revealed that Catherine has become someone she feels comfortable approaching for guidance.

“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,” she said.

It is a revealing insight into the relationship Harriet has begun building with the Royal Family, particularly as she adjusts to a very different chapter of her life.

A Casual First Meeting With William And Kate

Harriet’s introduction to the Prince and Princess of Wales was far removed from the formality many might expect.

The couple happened to be holidaying in the same location in the Isles of Scilly, where their children were also enjoying time together.

Rather than an intimidating royal encounter, the meeting unfolded in a relaxed family setting, with the children jumping into the water at the same time.

Reflecting on the experience, Harriet said: “I’ve had an incredible experience being welcomed in. We happened to be on holiday at the same place in the Scilly Isles.

“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.”

Her comments suggest that, despite the informality of their first encounter, Harriet was conscious of the unique position her new extended family occupies.

How King Charles And Queen Camilla Made Her Feel Welcome

Meeting the Prince and Princess of Wales was only one of several important first encounters Harriet had to navigate.

Before meeting the King and Queen, she enjoyed a relaxed cup of tea with Princess Anne on the benches at Gatcombe Park.

The next significant introduction came at Royal Ascot, where Harriet attended with her daughter, Georgina.

Despite the occasion’s royal setting, she recalled an unexpectedly warm atmosphere, with plenty of laughter and conversation.

“It was so lovely and relaxed and there was lots of laughter. You feel as though you’re meeting family, but at the same time, it feels otherworldly,” Harriet explained.

“Both the King and the Queen have been so welcoming to me and Georgina. I can’t thank them both enough.”

For Harriet, seeing Charles and Camilla attend her wedding was another extraordinary moment — one she described as a genuine “pinch-me moment”.

The couple married last summer in a lavish ceremony at Princess Anne’s Gatcombe estate in Gloucestershire, Harriet’s home county.

However, the celebrations also included an unconventional twist. Guests were not served traditional wedding cake. Instead, they enjoyed a giant tiramisu.

The Unusual Story Behind Her Royal Romance

Harriet’s journey into the Royal Family began through an ordinary connection between their children.

The former NHS nurse met Peter in early 2022 after her daughter, Georgina, joined the same hockey team as Peter’s daughters, Savannah and Isla.

Their relationship eventually led to marriage, bringing Harriet into one of Britain’s most recognisable families.

Before that, she had spent 24 years working as an NHS nurse, while also raising Georgina as a single mother.

Now, she is beginning another important chapter outside her previous nursing career.

Harriet Takes On A New Role Supporting Families

Alongside her new life with Peter, Harriet has become patron of Home-Start Cotswolds, a charity dedicated to helping parents through practical, non-judgmental support.

The organisation’s work is particularly close to her heart, given her own experience of raising a child as a single mother.

Harriet said she was “thrilled” to become involved, highlighting how easily the challenges of parenting can be underestimated.

“We often assume that parenting comes naturally, but the reality is that everyone needs support at different points,” she said.

“Home-Start offers vital, practical and non-judgmental support. Just having someone to listen to can make an enormous difference, especially given how closely a parent’s wellbeing is connected to a baby’s wellbeing.”

Her latest comments offer a glimpse of a woman finding her place within the Royal Family while continuing to champion a cause shaped by her own experiences.

And amid the unfamiliar traditions, high-profile encounters and expectations that come with royal life, Harriet has made one thing clear: having someone approachable to turn to can make all the difference.