{"id":385462,"date":"2025-08-30T17:17:25","date_gmt":"2025-08-30T17:17:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/385462\/"},"modified":"2025-08-30T17:17:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T17:17:25","slug":"peter-phillips-fiancees-royal-invite-to-balmoral-not-what-it-seems-but-point-is-proved","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/385462\/","title":{"rendered":"Peter Phillips&#8217; fianc\u00e9e&#8217;s royal invite to Balmoral not what it seems but point is proved"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Harriet Sperling, the soon-to-be wife of Princess Anne\u2019s son, has joined the royal family at Balmoral for their summer break, with Jennie Bond revealing the gravity of the exclusive invitation<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/2_Members-Of-The-Royal-Family-Attend-Royal-Ascot-2025-Day-One.jpg\" alt=\"Harriet Sperling and Peter Phillips\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Just weeks after announcing their engagement, Harriet and Peter have headed to Balmoral(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Peter Phillips and his fianc\u00e9e Harriet Sperling have travelled to Balmoral to spend some quality time with the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/royals\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">royal family<\/a> as part of a long-standing summer tradition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Princess Anne\u2019s son <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/royals\/breaking-princess-annes-son-peter-35659689\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">proposed to the NHS nurse at the beginning of August <\/a>, and with a royal wedding now looming, the invitation to Balmoral has been seen as a sign that Harriet is receiving her official royal initiation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">While many have speculated that Harriet could be <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/royals\/peter-philips-fiance-experiencing-royal-35789128\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">undergoing the infamous \u2018Balmoral test\u2019 <\/a>, former <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/bbc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">BBC<\/a> royal correspondent Jennie Bond has claimed the happy couple\u2019s trip to the Scottish Highlands will be much more laid back than royal fans may think.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/royals\/meghan-markle-protected-herself-backlash-35800783\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"35800783\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Meghan Markle \u2018protected herself\u2019 from backlash over controversial twerking video<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/royals\/prince-william-refuses-see-prince-35812902\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"35812902\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prince William refuses to see Prince Harry &#8216;out of hand&#8217; during his rare UK trip<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/2_Members-Of-The-Royal-Family-Attend-Royal-Ascot-2025-Day-Three.jpg\" alt=\"Peter and Harriet at Royal Ascot last month \" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Peter and Harriet have travelled to Balmoral to spend summer with the royal family(Image: UK Press via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Jennie Bond told the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Mirror<\/a> that by receiving an invitation to spend the last of summer at the Aberdeenshire estate, it proves that she has already made a greatly positive impact on the royal family at large.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">She said: \u201cHarriet is clearly quite a hit with the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/royal-family\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Royal family<\/a>, and being invited to share their special holiday time at Balmoral certainly proves it. Their annual stay in <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/scotland\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Scotland<\/a> is precious family time when they relax, drop some of the formalities of Royal life and just enjoy being together and having fun in the great outdoors.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Many have claimed that while in Scotland, Harriet may be enduring the \u2018Balmoral test\u2019, which was portrayed in the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/netflix\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Netflix<\/a> series The Crown, but Jennie has quickly put those rumours to bed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Rather than undergoing some kind of intense initiation, the royal expert believes Harriet would simply be enjoying getting to spend some quality time with the royal family, away from the pressure of the public eye where she can be her authentic self.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Jennie said: \u201cThe infamous so-called \u2018Balmoral Test\u2019 doesn\u2019t really exist: people really shouldn\u2019t believe what they see in The Crown. As at any well-established family gathering, a newcomer like Harriet will have to discover just how she fits in and who she gels with best.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cBut the idea that they all sit around waiting for her to put a foot wrong or that they come to some sort of unanimous verdict about her is pure fiction.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">While Harriet would no doubt be putting her best foot forward now that she is engaged to be married into the royal family, Jennie said her first impressions with her soon-to-be in-laws have already cemented the fact that the Firm has a great relationship with the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/nhs\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">NHS<\/a> nurse.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Harriet\u2019s appearances at some key royal events have shown her mingling and laughing with Princess Anne and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/king-charles-iii\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">King Charles<\/a>, showcasing how comfortable she feels alongside the royal family, regardless of the pomp and pageantry.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Jennie said: \u201cFrom what we\u2019ve seen \u2013 particularly at <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/royal-ascot\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Royal Ascot<\/a> \u2013 the King already gets on very well with Harriet and it looks as if Zara and some of the younger generation enjoy her company.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/3_unnamed.jpg\" alt=\"Peter Phillips, Harriet Sperling\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>The couple announced their engagement on August 1st(Image: i5 Media)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m sure she will have been a bit nervous about staying at Balmoral \u2013 it is, after all, a pretty exclusive invitation. But she strikes me as a confident young woman who will be able to take her place in the extended Royal family without any problems.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Peter and Harriet announced their engagement on August 1 after just one year of dating. A statement on behalf of the couple read: &#8220;Mr Peter Phillips, the son of HRH The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips and Ms Harriet Sperling, daughter of the late Mr Rupert Sanders and Mrs Mary Sanders of Gloucestershire, have today confirmed their official engagement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Both families were informed jointly of the announcement and were delighted with the wonderful news of their engagement. Their Majesties The King and Queen, The Prince and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/Kate-middleton\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Princess of Wales<\/a> have been informed of the announcement. No date has been officially set for the wedding.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Get the inside scoop on the monarchy with Mirror Royal<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">WHATSAPP GROUP: <\/strong>Be first to get the biggest royal bombshells and exclusives to your phone by joining our <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/crnch.it\/rH4Y3Drf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Royal WhatsApp here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reachplc.com\/site-services\/privacy-policy\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" Privacy NoticeLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">NEWSLETTER: <\/strong>Or sign up to the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/newsletter-preference-centre\/?view=Solus&amp;mailingListId=4b0cbed5-3f37-4486-86b2-57afe268814e&amp;utm_source=solusarticle\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Mirror&#8217;s Royal newsletter here<\/strong><\/a> to get all the biggest royal news and exclusive pictures, straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Harriet Sperling, the soon-to-be wife of Princess Anne\u2019s son, has joined the royal family at Balmoral for their&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":385463,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3940],"tags":[2639,83380,4080,77,20290,78513,2640,46788,519,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-385462","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-celebrities","8":"tag-anne","9":"tag-balmoral","10":"tag-celebrities","11":"tag-entertainment","12":"tag-jennie-bond","13":"tag-peter-phillips","14":"tag-princess-royal","15":"tag-royal-ascot","16":"tag-royal-family","17":"tag-uk","18":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115118856287080861","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/385462","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=385462"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/385462\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/385463"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=385462"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=385462"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=385462"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}