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In another royal shock, it’s been reported the Queen’s eldest grandson Peter Phillips has split from his wife of 12 years, Autumn Phillips.
According to The Sun, the monarch is “upset” after learning Autumn, 41, has asked Princess Anne’s son, 42, for a divorce, with friends claiming the wish came as a shock to Peter who is utterly “devastated”.
“He thought he was happily married and had the perfect family with two lovely daughters. But he is now in total shock,” the publication’s source claims.
Another friend reportedly said it comes amid fears Autumn may follow in the footsteps of Prince Harry and Meghan and move back to her native Canada, taking the couple’s daughters with her, who are said to have dual citizenship.
Savannah, nine, and Isla, seven are incredibly close with their Cambridge cousins and of course Peter’s younger sister Zara Tindall’s children Mia, five, and Lena Tindall, one, often spotted at horse trials and playdates together.
Buckingham Palace have declined to comment on reports, and neither party has confirmed whether it’s true.
Autumn and Peter with their daughters Savannah and Isla at last year’s Trooping the Colour. (Image: Getty)
Peter Phillips met Autumn Kelly, a former PA, at the Montreal Grand Prix in 2003, where they were both working, however, she did not realise he was the Queen’s grandson at the time – she found out six weeks later.
The couple tied the knot in 2008 in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, with Peter being the first of the monarch’s grandchildren to get married.
Peter and Autumn tied the knot at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in 2008. (Image: Getty)
Peter, who was born fifth in line for the throne, was the first legitimate grandchild of a monarch in more than 500 years to be born without a title or courtesy title after his parents Princess Anne and her ex-husband Mark Phillips turned down titles for their children.
In turn, it has allowed them to lead relatively normal lives – something which it seems Prince Harry and Meghan have wanted to emulate for their son Archie.
“My parents didn’t give me or my brother titles, so we’ve been able to have a slightly more normal upbringing,” Peter’s sister Zara told New Zealand Woman’s Weekly last year.
“As soon as you have got a title, it is very difficult to shed. I’m very lucky that both my parents decided not to use the title. We grew up and did all the things that gave us the chance to do.”
Young Peter with his mother Princess Anne and younger sister Zara at the Windsor Horse Show in 1985. (Image: Getty)
If the reports ring true, it’s just the latest in a string of upsets for the Queen and the Royal Family over the last 12 months.
From Prince Philip’s car crash early last year to Prince Andrew stepping back from royal duties following the furore surrounding his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in November, just as the Queen was ready to put a tumultuous 2019 behind her the Sussexes dropped the bombshell in January that they would also be stepping back from the royal family.
Let’s hope the happy occasion of Princess Beatrice’s wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in May is enough to hold the Royal Family together.
