Currently nineteenth in line to the throne, Peter Phillips held the fifth spot in the line of succession when he was born in 1977 to Princess Anne and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips. His birth on November 15, 1977 made Queen Elizabeth a first-time grandmother and a proud one at that.
The day of his birth, the late monarch is said to have arrived late to an investiture at Buckingham Palace. "I apologize for being late," the Queen said, smiling, "but I have just had a message from the hospital. My daughter has just given birth to a son."
The royal baby, named after his paternal grandfather, was born at St. Mary's Hospital in London. Two days after his arrival, Princess Anne left the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, with her newborn son carried behind her.
The Princess Royal opted against giving her son, and later his sister Zara Tindall, a courtesy title. Peter has told HELLO! in the past that he will "forever be indebted" to his parents for what they did "because they have allowed us to have a normal life."
"I love the freedom I have, but at the same time I'm very conscious of the family that I'm a part of and I'm also extremely proud to be part of the royal family," he said. "I'm a very staunch family member and I'll defend them to the hilt in any situation."
© Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesThe Queen's 'favourite grandson'
Peter has long been described as Queen Elizabeth's "favourite grandson." The monarch was pictured doting on her newborn grandson days after his birth. Growing up, Peter was photographed holding hands with his maternal grandmother at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, joining her on the Royal Yacht Britannia, as well as on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
© Anwar Hussein/Getty ImagesHaving the Queen as his grandmother was a "little strange," Peter once admitted on ITV's Good Morning Britain. He said in 2016: "I guess it's a little strange but if you're growing up with that sort of thing, there's never really that moment when you go, 'Oh wow.'"
That same year, Peter spoke about his "close" bond with his granny, telling The Telegraph: "I've always been very close to my grandmother, and we speak often," adding: "She has been an inspirational person throughout my life."
© Mike Maloney/Mirrorpix via Getty ImagesGrowing up as a royal family member
As the Queen's grandchild, Peter enjoyed Christmases at Sandringham and visits to royal residences. "We had great fun growing up on our holidays, going to stay with her at Sandringham, Balmoral and Windsor and we were incredibly lucky to be able to share a lot of our childhood time with her," he told Good Morning Britain.
Peter also said, "We had a lot of fun and there was a lot of space for kids to run around in, and it wasn't just us, it was the Waleses [William and Harry], Freddie and Ella Windsor [Prince and Princess Michael of Kent's children], and the Gloucesters [Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster, Lady Davina Lewis and Lady Rose Gilman, the children of the Queen's cousin, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester]."
"So there was quite a gang of us growing up in that age and it was a lot of fun. We caused quite a bit of mayhem and chaos but fortunately I don't think we broke too much!"
© Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty ImagesPeter followed in his grandfather Prince Philip's footsteps by attending Gordonstoun boarding school in Moray, Scotland. He later went on to study at Exeter University, which he graduated from in 2000 with a degree in sports science.
Although he's not a working member of the royal family, Peter has made appearances alongside his relatives at Trooping the Colour in the past, in addition to Royal Ascot and royal family events, including his late grandmother's Platinum Jubilee celebrations and his uncle King Charles' coronation service. In 2016, he had pride of place sitting to the right of his grandmother at an event celebrating her 90th birthday.
Works in the private sector
Since Peter does not undertake royal duties, he has pursued a career in the private sector. He's currently head of partner acquisition, Motorsport at Wasserman. He has previously worked for Tamarisk Events Ltd, SEL UK, the Royal Bank of Scotland, where he looked after its motor racing sponsorship, in addition to Williams Racing and Jaguar Racing.
"My father always said, 'Listen, whatever you do, you are going to have to work for a living. So all the way through school you need to knuckle down and get on with it because when you come out the other end you will actually have to be able to find a job. If you are expecting hand-outs, they will not be there,'" Peter shared with HELLO! in 2003. "The life I lead at the moment is no different from what I would have expected in any way."
Peter's first marriage
Peter met his first wife, Autumn Kelly, through work. While he was working for BMW Williams, Peter and Autumn's paths crossed at the 2003 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. The same day they met, Autumn was offered a job in the UK. "It was fate," Peter later told HELLO!.
Peter popped the question on July 28, 2007. The Queen's grandson previously recalled to HELLO! that "it rained and the wind was so high that the" hot air balloon trip he planned was cancelled. Instead, they took their dog out for a walk and he got down on one knee in the downpour.
The couple's engagement was announced in 2007. Peter became the first of Queen Elizabeth's grandchildren to wed on May 17, 2008 at St George's Chapel. The wedding was covered exclusively by HELLO! magazine.
© Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesPeter and Autumn welcomed their first child, the Queen's first great-grandchild, Savannah Phillips, on December 29, 2010. Their family grew again on March 29, 2012 with the arrival of their second daughter, Isla Phillips.
After 12 years of marriage, Peter and Autumn announced their separation in February 2020. In a joint statement at the time, the former couple said: "After informing HM The Queen and members of both families last year, Peter and Autumn jointly agreed to separate. They had reached the conclusion that this was the best course of action for their two children and ongoing friendship. The decision to divorce and share custody came about after many months of discussions and although sad, is an amicable one. The couples first priority will remain the continued well being and upbringing of their wonderful daughters Savannah (9) and Isla (7)."
Their divorce was finalized in June of 2021. "Whilst this is a sad day for Peter and Autumn, they continue to put the wellbeing and upbringing of their wonderful daughters Savannah and Isla first and foremost," a statement on behalf of the couple read. "Both Peter and Autumn are pleased to have resolved matters amicably with the children firmly at the forefront of those thoughts and decisions."
Post-divorce relationships and meeting Harriet
Following his divorce, Peter famously dated Lindsay Wallace and then Harriet Sperling. He and Harriet, an NHS nurse, who has a daughter named Georgina from a previous relationship, are said to have met at a sports event involving their respective kids.
© Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesThe Princess Royal's son and his girlfriend went public with their relationship in May 2024 at the Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire. By August of 2025, they were engaged, with the couple sharing the news exclusively with HELLO!, along with photos.
A statement issued for the future Mr. and Mrs. by Gerard Franklin read: "Mr Peter Phillips, the son of HRH The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips and Ms Harriet Sperling, daughter of the late Mr Rupert Sanders and Mrs Mary Sanders of Gloucestershire, have today confirmed their official engagement."
"Both families were informed jointly of the announcement and were delighted with the wonderful news of their engagement. Their Majesties The King and Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales have been informed of the announcement," Gerard added. "No date has been officially set for the wedding."
Peter and Harriet's wedding is taking place on June 6 at All Saints Church in Kemble. King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to be among the guests. Following the ceremony, HELLO! understands that a reception will be held at Gatcombe Park.
A friend of the couple previously told HELLO!: "Peter and Harriet's wedding is an intimate occasion with their close friends and immediate family around them in the Cotswolds. It's an area where they grew up and is very special to them both."
