Royal Wedding on the Cards: Peter Phillips, Queen Elizabeth’s ‘Favourite’, Gets Engaged to UK Nurse
Peter Phillips, the eldest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II, is now engaged to Harriet Sperling, a paediatric nurse with the UK’s National Health Service.
Peter Phillips, the only son of Princess Anne, has announced his engagement to Harriet Sperling after a year of courtship. Sperling works as a paediatric nurse and is associated with the NHS.
“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,” a statement from the couple’s spokesperson read.
“Both families were informed together about the announcement and were delighted by the wonderful news of the engagement. Their Majesties The King and Queen, as well as The Prince and Princess of Wales, have been notified,” it further added.
The wedding date has not yet been decided. The couple made their first public appearance in May 2024 at the Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire. Since then, Harriet Sperling has been spotted at several royal gatherings including Royal Ascot, often seen with Princess Anne and Queen Camilla.
Harriet Sperling, who is also a freelance writer, has one daughter named Georgia. In her previous writings, she has shared her experiences of living with a chronic neurological illness, and how she balances it with motherhood and spirituality.
Peter Phillips’ Previous Marriage
Peter Phillips, 47, was earlier married to Autumn Kelly, who was born in Canada. The couple tied the knot at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor in 2008 and have two daughters – Savannah (14) and Isla (13). They announced their separation in 2020 and officially divorced in 2021, describing it as an “amicable” decision focused on their children’s best interests. After his divorce, Peter Phillips was in a relationship with Lindsay Wallace for three years, and they were seen together at various royal events, including the Platinum Jubilee and the Coronation Concert of King Charles.
Who is Peter Phillips?
Peter Phillips is the first child of Princess Anne and her ex-husband, Captain Mark Phillips. Born in 1977, he does not hold any royal title, as his parents had chosen to let their children live more private lives. Nevertheless, he continues to participate in royal events and remains active in public engagements. He is currently 18th in line to the British throne and shares a close bond with his cousins, including Prince William and Prince Harry.
How Many Grandchildren Did Queen Elizabeth II Have?
Queen Elizabeth II had eight grandchildren: Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall (children of Princess Anne); Prince William and Prince Harry (sons of King Charles III); Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie (daughters of Prince Andrew); and Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex (children of Prince Edward). Peter Phillips is the eldest among them and was the first from his generation to publicly separate from a spouse.
