The Hon. Harriet Lepel Phipps, VA (22 January 1841– 7 March 1922) was an English courtier who served as a confidential attendant of Queen Victoria.

Harriet was the younger daughter of Sir Charles Beaumont Phipps, a courtier and confidant of the Queen, as Keeper of the Privy Purse. Harriet was appointed Maid of Honour in Ordinary to the Queen on 3 March 1862 (giving her the courtesy rank of a baron's daughter), and later served as a Woman of the Bedchamber from 1889 until Victoria's death. She was decorated with the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert, 4th class.

Harriet Phipps

Phipps was used by the Queen to carry out confidential errands, and had access to many secrets, which she faithfully kept. Her papers were destroyed upon her death. Marie Mallet, a fellow lady of the bedchamber, found Phipps, as a messenger of instructions from Victoria, somewhat awe-inspiring, but "gay and excellent company and always warm-hearted".

Harriet Phipps

Her 1889 portrait, by John Lavery, is now in the collection of the Glasgow Museums.

Harriet Phipps

Phipps was portrayed by Fenella Woolgar in the 2017 film Victoria & Abdul.

References

1841 births

1922 deaths

Ladies of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert

British maids of honour

Harriet

19th-century English people

19th-century English women

20th-century English people

20th-century English women

Court of Queen Victoria