Few royal family members manage to balance a private career with their famous surname as quietly as Peter Phillips. As the eldest grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, he has built a life outside the palace walls — working in sports management, raising two daughters, and starting a new chapter with his second wife.

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Birth year: 1977 · Number of marriages: 2 · Number of children: 2 · Occupation: Businessman · Relationship to Queen: Grandson

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether he was Queen Elizabeth’s favorite grandson (HELLO! magazine)
  • Exact net worth — estimates range from $20 million to £14.4 million (Celebrity Net Worth)
  • His precise position in the line of succession — reported as 12th or 19th depending on date (HELLO! magazine)
3Timeline signal
  • Born 1977 — first grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II (Wikipedia)
  • Married 2008 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor (Royal Central)
  • Divorced 2021 after 12 years of marriage (The Independent)
  • Remarried 2026 to Harriet Sperling (Britroyals)
4What’s next
  • Continues to manage sports events and business interests (The Independent)
  • Lives privately in Gloucestershire with Harriet Sperling (The Independent)
  • Daughters Savannah and Isla remain in school in the UK (The Independent)
The paradox

Peter Phillips is the Queen’s eldest grandchild yet holds no royal title, receives no public funding, and carries out no official duties — a deliberate choice that keeps him outside the palace bubble while still inside the family circle.

Key biographical facts provide the foundation for understanding Phillips’ unusual position within the royal family.

Key facts at a glance: the biographical baseline of Peter Phillips
Attribute Detail
Full Name Peter Mark Andrew Phillips
Birth Date 15 November 1977
Parents Anne, Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips
Siblings Zara Tindall
Spouse(s) Autumn Kelly (2008-2021), Harriet Sperling (2026-present)
Children Savanna Phillips (b. 2010), Isla Phillips (b. 2012)
Occupation Businessman
Royal Title None (not styled as HRH)
Bottom line: The pattern: Phillips has built a professional identity entirely separate from his royal lineage, a divergence from the typical path of senior royals.

What does Peter Phillips do now?

Professional background

After graduating from the University of Exeter with a degree in sports science, Phillips worked for Jaguar and then WilliamsF1, where he met his first wife, Autumn Kelly (Celebrity Net Worth). His career has centered on sports event management and corporate sponsorships — a natural fit given his lifelong passion for rugby.

Current occupation

Today, Phillips runs a sports management consultancy and manages events for corporate clients. He does not carry out royal duties and receives no income from the Sovereign Grant (The Independent). His work keeps him based in Gloucestershire, near Gatcombe Park where his mother Princess Anne lives.

  • Former executive at Royal Bank of Scotland’s sports sponsorship division (Celebrity Net Worth)
  • Manages sports events for brands and organizations
  • No public funding or taxpayer support for his role
Bottom line: Peter Phillips works as a businessman in sports management, not as a working royal. For readers curious about royal family careers, the distinction is sharp: he earns his income independently, without any public subsidy.
The upshot

By choosing a private career over royal duties, Phillips avoids the scrutiny that comes with taxpayer-funded roles — but also forfeits the security and status that a royal title provides. For someone who values autonomy, that trade-off appears deliberate.

How did Peter meet Harriet Sperling?

Meeting through mutual friends

Phillips began a relationship with Harriet Sperling in 2024, introduced through mutual friends. Sperling works as an NHS pediatric nurse specialist (NewCelebWiki). The couple kept their relationship low-key, avoiding the public spotlight that often accompanies royal romances.

The proposal and wedding

Phillips proposed privately, and the couple married on 8 June 2026 in a private ceremony in Gloucestershire (Britroyals). The wedding was a small affair, attended by close family including Princess Anne and Zara Tindall.

‘Peter and Harriet are over the moon,’ said a source close to the couple.

— People.com

The marriage marks a fresh start for Phillips, who had been divorced for five years. Sperling’s career as an NHS nurse places her firmly outside the royal bubble — a choice that aligns with Phillips’ preference for a private life.

Bottom line: Peter Phillips met Harriet Sperling through friends in 2024 and married her in a private Gloucestershire ceremony in June 2026. She works as an NHS pediatric nurse — a profession far removed from royal circles, underscoring Phillips’ desire for a normal life.

Why did Autumn and Peter split?

Separation announcement

On 11 February 2020, Phillips and Autumn Kelly announced their separation after 12 years of marriage (The Independent). The divorce was finalized on 14 June 2021.

Reasons for divorce

Both parties cited irreconcilable differences and remained committed to co-parenting their two daughters. Autumn Kelly reportedly continued living in Gloucestershire after the split to maintain stability for Savannah and Isla (Smooth Radio).

  • Separated February 2020; divorced June 2021 (The Independent)
  • Remained friends and co-parents for their children (Smooth Radio)
  • Autumn Kelly now lives in Gloucestershire near the family home

The wedding was a private affair, attended by only a few close family members.

— BBC News

The implication: unlike many high-profile royal divorces, the Phillips-Kelly split remained remarkably amicable — a testament to both parties’ focus on their children’s wellbeing over public drama.

Where does Peter Phillips live now?

Gatcombe Park

For years, Phillips lived with his family at Gatcombe Park, the Gloucestershire estate owned by his mother, Princess Anne. The property, a 730-acre working farm, has been the Phillips family base since 1976 (Britroyals).

Current home

Following his divorce, Phillips moved to a separate property in Gloucestershire, where he now lives with Harriet Sperling. The location keeps him close to his daughters and his mother’s estate while providing a fresh start with his new wife (The Independent).

The pattern: Phillips has consistently chosen to remain in the Gloucestershire area, maintaining proximity to his family network while carving out independent living arrangements — a compromise between royal ties and personal autonomy.

Who is King Charles’ favourite grandchild?

No official statement

Neither King Charles nor any member of the royal family has publicly indicated a favorite grandchild. Peter Phillips, as the eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II, is one of several grandchildren that include Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and others from the King’s children (HELLO! magazine).

Speculation

Some royal commentators have speculated that Phillips may have been close to his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, but no concrete evidence supports the notion of a “favorite.” Phillips himself has never discussed the topic publicly.

  • Peter Phillips is the eldest of the Queen’s eight grandchildren (Smooth Radio)
  • No official statement exists regarding King Charles’ preference
What to watch

The question of royal favoritism is a perennial tabloid fascination — but it’s largely invented. For Phillips, who has never sought the spotlight, being “favorite” would contradict his entire life strategy of staying out of it.

Timeline: Key dates in Peter Phillips’ life

  1. 15 November 1977 — Born at St Mary’s Hospital, London, as the first grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II (Wikipedia)
  2. 2003 — Meets Autumn Kelly while working for WilliamsF1 in Montreal (Royal Central)
  3. 17 May 2008 — Marries Autumn Kelly at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle (Royal Central)
  4. 29 December 2010 — Birth of first daughter, Savannah Phillips (Smooth Radio)
  5. 29 March 2012 — Birth of second daughter, Isla Elizabeth Phillips (Smooth Radio)
  6. 11 February 2020 — Announcement of separation from Autumn Kelly (The Independent)
  7. 14 June 2021 — Divorce finalized (The Independent)
  8. 2024 — Begins relationship with Harriet Sperling (NewCelebWiki)
  9. 8 June 2026 — Marries Harriet Sperling in Gloucestershire (Britroyals)
Bottom line: Peter Phillips’ life has followed a clear arc: private upbringing, a decade-long marriage and family, divorce, and a fresh start with a new partner — all while maintaining a career outside royal duties. For someone born into the monarchy, it’s a remarkably ordinary trajectory.
Additional sources

de.mediamass.net, lovemoney.com, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, royalcentral.co.uk

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Frequently asked questions

Is Peter Phillips a working royal?

No. Phillips does not carry out royal duties or receive public funding. He works as a businessman in sports management (The Independent).

How many children does Peter Phillips have?

Two daughters: Savannah (born 2010) and Isla (born 2012) with his first wife, Autumn Kelly (Smooth Radio).

What is Peter Phillips’ net worth?

Estimates vary. Celebrity Net Worth reports $20 million, while Smooth Radio cites approximately £14.4 million ($20 million). These figures are unconfirmed (Celebrity Net Worth).

Does Peter Phillips have a royal title?

No. He was born without a royal title because his mother, Princess Anne, chose not to give her children titles (Celebrity Net Worth).

How is Peter Phillips related to Prince William?

Peter Phillips is Prince William’s first cousin. Their mothers are siblings: Princess Anne is William’s aunt (Wikipedia).

Did Peter Phillips play rugby professionally?

No. He played rugby at a recreational level and has worked in sports management, but never professionally (Celebrity Net Worth).

Where did Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly live?

They lived at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, the estate owned by his mother, Princess Anne (Britroyals).

What does Harriet Sperling do for a living?

She works as an NHS pediatric nurse specialist (NewCelebWiki).

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