Who is Peter Phillips? His Royal Family Background and Early Life
Peter Mark Andrew Phillips, born 15 November 1977 at St Mary’s Hospital, London, is the only son of Anne, Princess Royal, and Captain Mark Phillips. As the eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, he occupies a unique place in the British royal family — one defined by a deliberate distance from royal duties and titles.
Unlike many members of the Royal Family, Phillips has never held an HRH style. His mother, Princess Anne, declined titles for her children at birth, and Phillips has maintained that choice into adulthood. He leads a private life centered on business and family.
Phillips was raised at Gatcombe Park, the Gloucestershire estate where his mother still lives. He attended Gordonstoun School in Scotland, the same institution that educated his father-in-law of King Charles III, and later studied Sports Science at the University of Exeter.
Peter Phillips is the nephew of King Charles III and a first cousin to Prince William and Prince Harry. Through his father, Captain Mark Phillips, he holds no royal title, but remains part of the line of succession — around 17th as of 2025.
Key Facts About Peter Phillips
Key Insights
- Peter Phillips is the only son of Princess Anne and the eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II, yet he holds no royal title and leads a private life as a businessman.
- His 2026 marriage to NHS nurse Harriet Sperling made headlines as a rare royal wedding without a title.
- Despite being a member of the Royal Family, he has pursued a career in sports management and sponsorship, notably with the Rugby Football Union.
- His two daughters, Savannah and Isla, are among the few great-grandchildren of the late Queen who do not hold HRH styles.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 November 1977, London, England |
| Parents | Princess Anne and Mark Phillips |
| Siblings | Zara Tindall (sister) |
| First marriage | Autumn Kelly (2008–2020, divorced) |
| Second marriage | Harriet Sperling (June 2026) |
| Children | Savannah (b. 2010), Isla (b. 2012) |
| Education | Gordonstoun School, University of Exeter (Sports Science) |
| Occupation | Businessman, former rugby player |
| Net worth | Estimated £1–2 million (not publicly confirmed) |
Peter Phillips’ Wife: His Marriage to Harriet Sperling
In June 2026, Peter Phillips married Harriet Sperling at All Saints Church in Kemble, Gloucestershire. The ceremony brought together senior royals including King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, according to BBC News.
The couple announced their engagement in August 2025. For both, it is a second marriage. Phillips was previously married to Autumn Kelly from 2008 until their divorce in 2020. His remarriage makes him the first of Queen Elizabeth II’s grandchildren to remarry, as People reported.
Who is Harriet Sperling?
Harriet Sperling works as an NHS paediatric nurse at Evelina Children’s Hospital and also writes as a freelance writer. Multiple reports, including from The Telegraph, describe her as a devout Christian.
Her full birth name, according to the Daily Express, is Harriet Eleanor Sanders, born in 1980. She was married previously to Antonio St. John Sperling and has a daughter, identified in reporting as Georgina or Georgia.
Peter Phillips’ Children: Savannah and Isla
Peter Phillips has two daughters from his marriage to Autumn Kelly: Savannah Phillips, born in 2010, and Isla Phillips, born in 2012. Sources consistently describe them as teenagers in 2026.
Neither Savannah nor Isla holds a royal title, and they are not working members of the Royal Family. They live with their father and stepmother, Harriet, who brought her own daughter into the marriage. Wedding coverage from People emphasized the blending of the two families, with the three girls appearing together at the ceremony.
Peter Phillips brought daughters Savannah and Isla, while Harriet Sperling brought her daughter from a previous marriage. The wedding marked a public step in uniting their family, as covered by multiple royal watchers.
Peter Phillips’ Net Worth and Career
Peter Phillips works in sports sponsorship and management. He was previously a director at the Rugby Football Union, where he handled commercial partnerships. His career in sports management has been his primary focus since leaving university.
No verified net worth figure for Peter Phillips exists in public sources. Some analyst estimates place it between £1 million and £2 million, but these figures are not confirmed by official disclosures.
He is not a working royal. Unlike many of his cousins, he receives no public funding for royal duties and has built a private career entirely outside the monarchy. His business work includes commercial roles in motorsport and other sporting events.
Peter Phillips and Rugby: His Sporting Career
Peter Phillips played rugby at university level while studying Sports Science at the University of Exeter. Reports indicate he later worked for the Rugby Football Union, but specific details about a competitive rugby career beyond university are limited in available sources.
The strongest rugby connection within the immediate family is actually his brother-in-law, Mike Tindall, a former England rugby star who married Phillips’ sister, Zara Tindall. Mike Tindall attended the 2026 wedding.
Life Timeline of Peter Phillips
- 15 November 1977 – Born at St Mary’s Hospital, London, to Princess Anne and Mark Phillips.
- 1978–1990 – Childhood at Gatcombe Park; educated at independent schools.
- 1996–2000 – Attends University of Exeter, studies Sports Science; plays rugby for university.
- Early 2000s – Works in sports sponsorship and management, including for the Rugby Football Union.
- 2008 – Marries Autumn Kelly; couple has two daughters.
- 2010 – Birth of daughter Savannah.
- 2012 – Birth of daughter Isla.
- 2020 – Divorce from Autumn Kelly finalized.
- 2025 – Announces engagement to NHS nurse Harriet Sperling.
- June 2026 – Marries Harriet Sperling at a private ceremony.
Clarifying the Facts: What We Know and What’s Unconfirmed
| Statement | Certainty |
|---|---|
| Peter Phillips married Harriet Sperling in June 2026. | Confirmed by multiple news outlets including Sky News and BBC. |
| He previously married Autumn Kelly in 2008 and divorced in 2020. | Confirmed by public records and royal announcements. |
| His net worth is estimated at £1–2 million. | Not officially disclosed; figure based on analyst estimates. |
| He played rugby at university level and later worked for the Rugby Football Union. | Confirmed by Wikipedia and sports biographies. |
| He does not hold a royal title. | Confirmed by royal family convention – he declined offered titles. |
Peter Phillips’ Unique Position in the Royal Family
As the only son of Princess Anne, Peter Phillips is a grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and nephew of King Charles III. Unlike many royal cousins, he chose not to accept a title, allowing him to lead a more private life and build a career outside the monarchy. His marriage to Harriet Sperling, a commoner without aristocratic background, reflects a modern trend within the Royal Family toward personal choice over tradition. His business focus on sports management and his past as a rugby player further set him apart from the traditional royal path.
Sources and Quotes
Peter Mark Andrew Phillips (born 15 November 1977) is a British businessman and member of the British royal family.
— Wikipedia
King’s nephew Peter Phillips marries NHS nurse Harriet Sperling
— Sky News (June 2026)
Peter Phillips is the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and was born November 15, 1977.
— BritRoyals
Summary
Peter Phillips is a British businessman and the eldest grandson of Queen Elizabeth II. He has lived largely outside the royal spotlight, building a career in sports management and raising two daughters. His June 2026 marriage to Harriet Sperling marked a significant personal milestone and a rare gathering of senior royals. He continues to lead a private life, with no public royal duties anticipated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Peter Phillips still in line of succession?
Yes, but he is far down the line (around 17th as of 2025); his children are also in line.
Why doesn’t Peter Phillips have a royal title?
His mother, Princess Anne, declined titles for her children at their birth, and Peter himself has stated he prefers a private life without a title.
What is Peter Phillips’ job?
He works in sports sponsorship and management; he was previously a director at the Rugby Football Union.
How many children does Peter Phillips have?
Two daughters: Savannah (b. 2010) and Isla (b. 2012) with his first wife Autumn Kelly.
Who is Peter Phillips’ mother?
Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Is Peter Phillips related to Prince William?
Yes, they are first cousins – their mothers are siblings (Princess Anne and King Charles III).
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.