Princess Anne’s son said the Prince and Princess of Wales gracefully navigate public life and parenthood to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
Prince William and Kate Middleton fter a meeting with French President Francois Hollande at the Elysee Palace on March 17, 2017; Peter Phillips attends the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 15, 2024. . PHOTO:
PASCAL LE SEGRETAIN/GETTY IMAGES; MAX MUMBY/INDIGO/GETTY IMAGES
Peter Phillips is full of praise for Kate Middleton and Prince William.
Princess Anne’s son, 46, spoke about the strong bond that the Prince and Princess of Wales share in a new interview with Sky News Australia, which was recorded before and released after Princess Kate announced on Friday that she is undergoing treatment for cancer.
In a sit-down with The Royal Report, Peter praised the partnership between his cousin Prince William, 41, and his wife, 42, pointing to how they balance public life with parenthood to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Peter described the “outpouring of support” for King Charles and Princess Kate amid their health news in recent months as “hugely heartening” and praised Princess Kate as “remarkable in herself.”
“Without any question, she is. Her and William make a fantastic team together. Their kids are great, and they have the balance of public life and trying to be parents to three young children, which is always difficult,” Peter said.
Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William and Prince Louis in Sandringham on December 25, 2023.
MARK CUTHBERT/UK PRESS VIA GETTY
King Charles ‘Frustrated’ amid Cancer Treatment and ‘Pushing’ to Work More, Says Nephew Peter Phillips
“I think they’ve got it pretty right, because you know, as history as taught us, and anyone knows, you want to be there for your children when they are of a certain age. You want to be able to drop them off at school, and pick them up from school, and watch their matches, be part of their school lives. I think that balance of doing the family life and also the public life, I think that they’ve pretty much got that bang on,” he added.
Host Caroline Di Russo said how the challenge of life in the public eye must make “family moments and those quiet times, and even when the broader family gets together” all the more important, and dad of two Peter agreed.
“It is, completely. We’re very lucky that, whilst we probably don’t see as much of each other as we would like to, as you say, when we are together, it’s a very important time. It’s not just for us as cousins, but it’s also for all of our children to be together,” he said. “When my grandparents [Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip] were alive, it’s about them being able to spend time with their great-grandchildren. These times are important… family time together is so important, and it just strengthens that bond of support that everybody needs, and certainly in tough times, it’s really important.”
Peter Phillips and Kate Middleton watch the Royal Charity Polo Cup 2023 at Guards Polo Club on July 6, 2023.
KARWAI TANG/WIREIMAGE
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Privately Reached Out to Kate Middleton and Prince William After Cancer Announcement
Princess Anne’s son, who is not a working royal and has pursued a private career in sports-focused event management, sat for the interview during a visit to Australia as patron of ISPS Handa, which works to support disabled athletes, Sky News said. Prince Harry’s Sentebale charity also partners with the charity for its annual polo match.
Peter and Princess Kate were seen sharing a laugh on the sidelines of Prince William’s Royal Charity Polo Day in July 2023, and he attended her Together at Christmas carol concert with his sister Zara Tindall and his daughters Savannah, 13, and Isla, 11, whom he shares with his ex-wife, Autumn, in December 2023.
Peter Phillips, Isla Phillips, Savannah Phillips and Zara Tindall attend The “Together At Christmas” Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2023.
CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
Peter’s comments about Prince William and Princess Kate’s strength align with insight from Queen Elizabeth’s former press secretary, who said that the Prince of Wales will be an “anchor” for his kids amid his wife’s cancer treatment.
“He is going to be the anchor for his children,” Ailsa Anderson exclusively tells PEOPLE about Prince William, who is now expected to stagger how he works, much like he has done since Kate was admitted to the hospital for her initial abdominal surgery in January.
Anderson adds that the timing of the public announcement, which wasn’t released until Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, were out of school for the Easter holidays, shows the couple’s focus on their family.
“They are protecting their children. They are thinking about their welfare above everything,” she explains.
Prince George, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Kate Middleton on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Platinum Pageant on June 5, 2022.
MAX MUMBY/INDIGO/GETTY