A magazine cover has royal watchers talking. Harriet Phillips, the newlywed wife of Princess Anne’s son, Peter Phillips, is featured in a 16-page magazine spread, and the choice has invited comparisons to Meghan Markle.
In her first-ever interview, Phillips speaks about her romance and her new chapter in the royal family. While many royal watchers had expected a very different name, that assumption did not hold. Instead, the spotlight has gone to a former nurse with a new charity role.
Meghan Markle gets compared to royal newcomer Harriet Phillips
Hello! released a teaser video earlier this week, promising a royal exclusive filmed in the Cotswolds. Many viewers assumed the Duchess of Sussex was the subject, but were mistaken.
In their subsequent posts, they went on to introduce Harriet Phillips as the new wife of Princess Anne’s son Peter Philips. The magazine says she discusses their romance, their wedding, and her view of the royal family, and also announces big career news. The cover line reads, “He’s my best friend, and we feel we are meant to be together.”
News24 reports that the feature runs to 16 pages and includes a video. Phillips married Peter on June 6, and the couple now live on the Gatcombe Park estate. She has become patron of Home-Start Cotswolds and is starting a role focused on early childhood development.
According to reports, she shares that interest with Catherine, the Princess of Wales. Phillips also noted, “I can look to Catherine for advice and guidance.”
The outlet contrasted this coverage with Meghan Markle’s return to Britain. Since she moved from the US to the UK in late August with Prince Harry and their two children, her headlines have been largely negative.
Reports also point to the fact that while Princess Anne’s son, Peter, has never held a title, photographs show his wife alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla. The outlet suggests this puts her in a strong position within the royal family. For Meghan, the royal family’s embrace of a newcomer makes for a pointed contrast.
Online, the moment has also inspired parody. A satirical post on X paired a mock “Goodbye!” cover with the caption “Out with the Duchess, in with the nurse!” However, among the reactions, several users note that they are “looking forward to [reading] about this beautiful recent royal bride.”
