How Peter Phillips’ new NHS nurse girlfriend saved the life of a critically ill three-week-old boy when he was struck down by a deadly virus

The NHS nurse who Peter Phillips is dating has spoken candidly about her struggles as a single mother.

Harriet Sperling told how she and her daughter survived ‘against the odds’ while traveling ‘alone together for ten years’ as she juggled parenthood with working on the NHS frontline as a children’s nurse.

Harriet, who is also a freelance writer, wrote a heartfelt piece a few weeks ago revealing the extraordinary bond born from “the unique relationship between a single mother and her child” that was “forged in the fires of struggle and triumph.”

She admitted, “I liken us to an island and it’s often hard to imagine anyone joining that island.”

Harriet shared how she drew strength from her Christian faith as she fought through the early years, when “resources were scarce and the future uncertain.”

Last weekend it emerged that King Charles’ cousin Peter had started a new romance with Harriet, just weeks after splitting from his partner of three years.

The couple spent the weekend together at the Badminton Horse Trial, where they were spotted holding hands.

They appeared ‘in love’ as they shared a kiss and rarely left each other’s sides as they joined Queen Camilla and other senior royals at the event.

Harriet – who has been hailed as a hero by a father for helping save the life of his seriously ill baby – wrote in March this year about the struggles and joys of her life as a single parent raising her young daughter.

She emphasizes how “parenting alone can be difficult,” but “can also be the most beautiful, precious relationship.”

Harriet said: “In the early 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 power and life that come from true selfless love. A love that you can only devote 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 power of the human spirit.

“It reminds us that sometimes when we think ‘we have nothing, we actually have everything’ we need.

“In the laughter, the tears, and the quiet moments of connection, we find the essence of what it means to love and be loved unconditionally.”

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 juggling raising children alone alongside her career, while exploring how other families dealt with the challenges.

Harriet wrote: “Her words, especially about her firstborn and the extraordinary experience of raising a child when life was difficult but in many ways simpler, resonated.

‘She spoke of a time ‘when I had nothing, I had everything’, a sentiment that could strike a chord with many single mothers, as it did with me.

“Katherine’s guilt over her first daughter having her ‘to herself’ before her other children arrived is a feeling I understand.

‘My daughter and I traveled alone together for ten years. I liken us to an island and it often felt hard to imagine anyone joining that island.

‘But beauty naturally comes from relationships, the relationship with our creator and the relationship with each other.

“It is often difficult to parent alone, but even though there is a stigma, God is able to intervene and turn this around for the better.

‘The unique relationship between a single mother and her child is forged in the fire of struggle and victory. It is a bond defined by love and survival against all odds.

“As Katherine humorously but poignantly pointed out, there’s a special kind of love that happens 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 precious and willing to give without expecting anything in return.”

She added: “Katherine’s reflections on her guilt and her love for her children offer a universal message about the complexities of parenthood.

‘Her sharing sheds a vulnerable light on the guilt many parents feel; a sense of guilt that comes from our desire to be everything to our children.”

‘For fellow single mothers, and indeed for all parents going through the complex journey of raising children, Katherine Ryan’s reflections offer honesty.

“Potentially without realizing it, I think Katherine is expressing the paradox of living as a Christian: that when we are weak, God is strong and he works all things for good.”

Divorced 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 married in 2008.

But in February 2020, they confirmed that they had split last year.

Harriet and Peter, the late Queen’s favorite grandson, are said to be in the ‘early days’ of their relationship after recently meeting.

But it is 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 – are a popular tradition for members of the royal family who sometimes take part in the games themselves.

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

She was featured in a unique tribute created by Phineas’ photographer father Michael Cockerham.

Phineas’ life was at stake after he contracted a mysterious illness that his immature immune system could not fight off.

Harriet and her team immediately began working on the critically ill baby when he was transferred from Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent to the world-famous Evelina Children’s Hospital in central London.

She described her reaction this way: “Just 20 minutes after we received the call to pick up Phineas, the retrieval team was on its way in an ambulance in the intensive care unit.”

It turned out that Phineas had been struck 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.

In tribute, Michael took photographs of each member of the 63-person team, which were published in a book.

Michael, who later became 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 enormous team involved in his care, to show the sheer number of doctors it takes to save a life.”