- Peter Phillips, 46, split from his partner Lindsay Wallace, 43, just weeks ago
Peter’s Phillips’ new girlfriend helped save the life of a critically ill three-week-old baby when he was struck down by a deadly virus.
Peter, 46, who is the son of Queen Elizabeth II‘s only daughter Princess Anne, has recently started dating NHS paediatric nurse specialist Harriet Sperling.
Harriet, who is also a freelance writer, was seen strolling hand in hand with the royal at the Badminton Horse Trial in Gloucestershire this weekend.
In 2010, Harriet was a key member of a team of medics, doctors and clinicians who helped save the life of a baby named Phineas after he was struck down by the mystery virus.
She featured among a unique tribute created by Phineas’ photographer father Michael Cockerham.
Phineas’ life lay in the balance after he contracted an illness that his immature immune system couldn’t fight off. Harriet and her team immediately began to work on the infant as he was transferred from Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent, to the world famous Evelina Children’s Hospital in central London.
Describing her response she said: ‘Just 20 minutes after receiving the call to collect Phineas, the retrieval team were on our way in an intensive care ambulance.’
At the weekend it emerged Peter Phillips, who is King Charles ‘ nephew, had embarked on a new romance with Harriet Sperling just weeks after separating from his partner of three years
In 2010, Harriet was a key member of a team of medics, doctors and clinicians who helped save the life of a baby named Phineas (pictured with his parents) after he was struck down by a mystery virus
Paediatric nurse Harriet Sperling, who is also a freelance writer, recently told how she and her daughter survived ‘against the odds’ as she juggled parenting with working for the NHS
After a week of ‘hoping and waiting’, Phineas recovered thanks to the ‘tireless efforts’ of Harriet and the 62 other medical experts who treated him.
As a tribute Michael took photographs of every member of the 63-strong team which were published in a book.
Michael, who went on to become a fundraising ambassador for the hospital, said: ‘I never want to forget the people who fought to save my son. And I wanted to highlight the huge team involved in his care, to show the enormous number of medics needed to save a life.’
Harriet also told how she and her daughter survived ‘against the odds’ as they ‘journeyed 10 years with only each other’ while she juggled parenting with working on the NHS frontline as a paediatric nurse specialist.
Harriet penned a heartfelt piece just weeks ago revealing the extraordinary bond developed from ‘the unique relationship between a single mother and her child’ which was ‘forged in the fires of struggles and victories’.
She admitted: ‘I liken us to an island and it has often felt hard to imagine anyone joining that island.’
Harriet told how she took strength from her Christian faith as she battled through the early years when ‘resources were scarce, and the future was uncertain’.
Harriet has written about how she took strength from her Christian faith as she battled through the early years when ‘resources were scarce, and the future was uncertain’
Peter and Harriet were pictured happily mingling in the crowd at the Badminton Horse Trial on both Saturday and Sunday
At the weekend it emerged Peter, who is King Charles‘ nephew, had embarked on a new romance with Harriet just weeks after separating from his partner of three years.
The couple spent the weekend together at the Badminton Horse Trial where they were spotted strolling hand in hand.
They appeared ‘smitten’ as they shared a kiss and rarely left each other’s side as they joined Queen Camilla and other senior royals at the event.
Harriet – who was hailed as a hero by a father for helping to save the life of his critically ill baby – wrote in March this year of the struggles, and joys, of her life as a single parent bringing up her young daughter.
She highlights how while ‘parenting solo can be tough’ it ‘can also be the most beautiful, precious relationship.’
Harriet said: ‘In the earlier years of my journey as a single mother to my daughter, resources were scarce, and the future was uncertain.
‘Yet, in the absence of material security, I discovered the strength and life that comes from true selfless love. A love that is able to be solely devoted to your child.’
The mother, who is in her 40s and writes under the name Harriet Sanders, added: ‘This extraordinary bond between a single mother and her daughter, marked by a mix of joy, challenges and unwavering love, is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
‘It’s a reminder that sometimes, when we think ‘we have nothing, we actually have everything’ we need.
‘In the laughter, tears, and quiet moments of connection, we find the essence of what it means to love and be loved unconditionally.’
Harriet, pictured at the Badminton Horse Trials, wrote about how ‘parenting solo can be tough’ but ‘can also be the most beautiful, precious relationship’
According to bystanders, the couple appeared ‘smitten’ as they shared a kiss and rarely left each other’s side throughout the weekend
Peter, who is 18th in line to the throne, regularly attends the exclusive social event
Writing in Woman Alive, a monthly magazine for Christian women, Harriet told how she was ‘touched’ by a TV documentary by Katherine Ryan called Parental Guidance.
In the series, the comedian shared her experiences as she juggled raising children alone alongside her career while exploring how other families dealt with the challenges.
Harriet wrote: ‘Her words, particularly about her firstborn and the distinct experience of raising a child when life was tough but in many ways simpler, resonated.
‘She spoke of a time ‘when I had nothing, I had everything’, a sentiment that might strike a chord with many single mothers, as it did with me.
‘Katherine’s expression of guilt over her first daughter having her ‘to herself’ before her other children arrived is a feeling I understand.
‘My daughter and I journeyed 10 years with only each other. I liken us to an island and it has often felt hard to imagine anyone joining that island.
‘But of course beauty comes from relationships, relationship with our maker and relationship with each other.
‘It is often tough parenting alone but although there is a stigma to endure, God is able to step in and turn it for good.
‘The unique relationship between a single mother and her child is forged in the fires of struggles and victories. It’s a bond characterised by a love and survival against the odds.
‘As Katherine humorously yet poignantly pointed out, there’s a special kind of love that develops when it’s just the two of you against the world.’
Harriet said her faith ‘teaches us about sacrifice, about the depth of love that is costly and willing to give without expecting anything in return’.
She added: ‘Katherine’s musings on her guilt and her love for her children offer a universal message about the complexities of parenthood.
Divorcee Peter, 46, split from his partner of three years Lindsay Wallace, 43, pictured, just weeks ago
Harriet is said to bear a striking resemblance to both Lindsay and Peter’s ex-wife Autumn Kelly, 46. Pictured: Peter and Autumn on their wedding day in Windsor on May 17, 2008
‘Her sharing vulnerably shines a light on the guilt that many parents feel; a guilt that stems from our desire to be everything for our children.’
‘To fellow single mothers, and indeed, all parents navigating the complex journey of raising children, Katherine Ryan’s reflections offer honesty.
‘Potentially without realising it, I think Katherine articulates the paradox of life as a Christian – that when we are weak God is strong and that he works all things for good.’
Divorcee Peter, 46, who is 18th in line to the throne, split from his partner of three years Lindsay Wallace, 43, just weeks ago.
Harriet is said to bear a striking resemblance to both Lindsay and Peter’s ex-wife Autumn Kelly, 46.
He and Canadian-born Autumn – mother to their daughters Savannah, 13, and Isla 12 – announced their engagement in 2007 and wed in 2008.
But in February 2020 they confirmed they had split the previous year.
Harriet and Peter, who was the late Queen’s favourite grandson, are said to be in the ‘early days’ of their relationship after meeting recently.
But it is being seen as a significant development that Harriet was invited to such a high profile event where they made no attempt to hide their affection for each other.
The trials – which were also attended by Peter’s sister Zara Tindall, 42, and her husband Mike Tindall, 45 – is a popular tradition for members of the royal family who sometimes compete in the games themselves.