Contrary to popular belief, Harriet Sperling will not be joining Peter Phillips at Balmoral this summer, Express.co.uk can reveal.

According to a reliable source, Peter Phillips is currently at the Scottish estate with the rest of the royal family and the two daughters he has with his ex-wife Autumn Kelly: Savannah, 13, and Isla, 12.

However, Harriet will not be there, as she has to go back to work.

“Harriet and Peter spent a lot of time together this past summer and Harriet had to go back to work,” the source said.

“Peter has taken his daughters to Balmoral and is now spending time with his family, as he does every year.”

Tatler magazine published an article on Thursday saying that if Harriet were to go to Scotland, she would be faced with the three words that strike fear into the hearts of any potential royal partner: “The Balmoral test.”

However, our source says that Harriet is well past that stage and has met King Charles and Queen Camilla several times. Her Majesty is said to have found her very nice.

“Harriet doesn’t need the Balmoral test because she’s already met Charles and Camilla and they are very fond of her,” the source said.

“She (Harriet) didn’t go to Balmoral because she had to work. That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong. In fact, they (Peter and Harriet) have spent a lot of time together over the last few months.”

Harriet works as an NHS nurse and freelance writer and is also a single mother. Her maiden name is Sanders.

Peter and Harriet made their public debut in May at the Badminton Horse Trials to support Phillips’ sister Zara Tindall.

The couple made their second appearance at Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire.

Since then, Harriet has accompanied Peter to Ascot, one of the royal family’s favourite events of the year. They have also visited Wimbledon together, and the Royal Charity Polo Cup at Windsor.