Peter Phillips' new NHS nurse girlfriend has aristocratic roots to the Duke of Gloucester - and also the Courage beer brewing dynasty

It has been revealed that Peter Phillips' new NHS nurse girlfriend has aristocratic roots to the Duke of Gloucester. 

The oldest son of Princess Anne, Peter, 46, has been dating Harriet Sperling, 44, for just a short period of time after breaking up with his partner of three-years Lindsay Wallace earlier this year.

Harriet, who is also a freelance writer, has been seen on multiple outings with King Charles' nephew, with their first public date taking place at the Badminton Horse Trials in May.

Although it seems that Peter is not the only one with royal connections, as it has emerged that the pediatric nurse is related to the Duke of Gloucester through her late father, The Telegraph reports. 

But her curious family ties do not stop there, as the paper also revealed that Harriet's second cousin once removed is Christopher Courage, 61, a descendant of the Courage Brewery's founder John Courage. 

Harriet's ties to the Duke of Gloucester, Prince Richard, stem from her late father Rupert Sanders, who died last year at the age of 

His first cousin is Timothy de Zoete, the husband of Princess Alice’s niece, Moyra de Zoete. The couple married in 1969 at a ceremony next to Westminster Abbey. 

Mrs de Zoete's mother Angela Dawnay is the younger sister of Princess Alice, who was also the Duchess of Gloucester and passed away in October 2004. 

Princess Alice's husband Prince Henry was the Duke of Gloucester until he passed away in 1974 and his son Prince Richard inherited the title.

And in another twist, Harriet is also related to the Courage Brewery dynasty as her great great uncle was Raymond Courage. This also means that Christopher Courage is her second cousin once removed.

Peter and his girlfriend Harriet were seen packing on the PDA on day four of the Royal Ascot - today as they shared a smooch right before meeting with the King and Queen. 

The loved up couple was pictured kissing as they attended the equestrian event in Berkshire today.

Phillip had embarked on his new romance with Harriet, who is an NHS nurse, just weeks after separating from his partner of three years.

In May, the couple spent the weekend together at the Badminton Horse Trial where they were spotted strolling hand in hand.

And the pair didn't hold back on affections this afternoon either as they were snapped leaning into one another and sharing sweet glances. 

Peter, who is the nephew of King Charles, opted for a dapper ensemble in a black suit and pinstriped trousers.

He also donned a beige waistcoat, pink button-down and lilac tie - perfect for the sunny summer weather.

Elsewhere, Harriet was elegant in a pastel pink dress with bow detailing along the front, accessorised with a matching headpiece.

After an affectionate peck with her boyfriend, Harriet was spotted enjoying an animated chat with Queen Camilla. And it seems Peter's family are keen on his new romance, as his cousin Princess Beatrice was also snapped giving her a warm hug and kiss on greeting.

Royal Ascot, the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, started on Tuesday with the Queen Anne Stakes and will run until Saturday.

This year's meeting will have an overall prize-money pot of £10million. This is a record amount for Royal Ascot. The minimum winnings for all eight Group 1 races will be £650,000.

It was founded by Queen Anne in 1711 after she declared Ascot ideal for 'horses to gallop at full stretch' and has today become a major social event as well as a sporting attraction.

For the first time in its 313-year history, Ascot Racecourse announced this year the appointment of a creative director.

It comes as, earlier this year, Harriet spoke candidly of her struggles as a single mother.

She opened up about 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, who is also a freelance writer, penned a heartfelt piece in Woman Alive in March, 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'.

In May, Harriet and Peter 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 Badminton Horse Trial.

Divorcee Peter, who is 18th in line to the throne, split from his partner of three years Lindsay Wallace, 43, just months 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.

In 2010, Harriet was a key member of a team of medics, doctors and clinicians who helped save the life of a critically ill baby named Phineas after he was struck down by a deadly virus aged just three weeks.

She featured among a unique tribute created by Phineas' photographer father Michael Cockerham.

Phineas' life lay in the balance after he contracted a mystery illness that his immature immune system couldn't fight off.

Harriet and her team immediately began to work on the critically ill baby 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.'

It emerged Phineas had been struck down by a common, but rarely diagnosed virus.

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.'

Elsewhere today, the King and Queen enjoyed a Royal Ascot bathed in beautiful sunshine as they led the latest carriage procession on the penultimate day of the summer society event. 

Charles and Camilla looked in fine form as they waved at spectators, travelling alongside Lord and Lady Bamford in the first carriage. 

Charles, 75, cut a dapper figure in a pale grey morning suit with a pink waistcoat, and Queen Camilla, 76, matched the monarch in the style stakes, wearing a light blue suit, with her statement feathered hat being caught by the afternoon breeze. 

The couple were closely followed by Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo 'Edo' Mapelli Mozzi and Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor, who travelled together in the procession. 

And former Prima Ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing star Dame Darcey Bussell, wearing a striking shade of magenta, also enjoyed a ride to the royal enclosure, alongside her husband Angus Forbes.