Peter Mark Andrew Phillips, the eldest son of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, was born on 15 November 1977 at St Mary’s Hospital in London. He is the first grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, but unlike his cousins, he holds no royal title. A former youth rugby player for Scotland and now a sports business executive, Phillips has carved out a life largely away from the public stage, making him one of the more private members of the extended royal family.
Despite his royal lineage, Phillips has worked in corporate sponsorship and event management, first for Jaguar Racing and Williams F1, and later as Managing Director of SEL UK, a boutique sports management firm. He is the first of the Queen’s grandchildren to divorce and remarry, having wed Harriet Sperling in June 2026. His net worth is estimated at £14.4 million ($20 million) by Celebrity Net Worth, though other sources suggest a range of £2–3 million.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Mark Andrew Phillips |
| Born | 15 November 1977 (age 47), London, England |
| Parents | Anne, Princess Royal & Captain Mark Phillips |
| Spouse | Harriet Sperling (married June 2026) |
- Peter Phillips is the only grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II without a royal title.
- He was the first of the Queen’s grandchildren to marry (2008) and the first to divorce (2021).
- He built a career in sports sponsorship and event management outside royal duties.
- He maintains a close bond with his mother, Princess Anne, but does not represent the monarchy officially.
- His relationship with Harriet Sperling became public in 2022; they married in 2026.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Title | None – just Peter Phillips |
| Marriage | Married Autumn Kelly in 2008, divorced in 2021 |
| Children | Two daughters: Savannah (born 2010) and Isla (born 2012) |
| Education | Gordonstoun School, then University of Exeter (Sports Science) |
| Rugby | Played for Vale of Lune RUFC and represented Scotland at youth level |
| Royal Duties | Does not carry out official duties but attends major family events |
| Residence | Lives in Gloucestershire, UK |
Peter Phillips’ Family: Wife, Children, and Relationships
Who is Peter Phillips’ wife?
Peter Phillips married Harriet Sperling on 6 June 2026 at All Saints Church in Kemble, Gloucestershire. Sperling, born in 1980, works as an NHS pediatric nurse and freelance writer. She is not from an aristocratic background and has a daughter, Georgina, from her previous marriage to Antonio St. John Sperling, with whom she co-parents.
Is Peter Phillips divorced?
Yes. He separated from his first wife, Autumn Kelly, a Canadian management consultant, in 2019. The divorce was announced in February 2020 and finalised on 14 June 2021. The couple have said the split was amicable and they remain committed to co-parenting their two daughters.
How many children does Peter Phillips have?
Peter has two daughters with Autumn Kelly: Savannah Anne Kathleen Phillips (born 29 December 2010) and Isla Elizabeth Phillips (born 29 March 2012). Savannah was Queen Elizabeth II’s first great-grandchild and is 17th in line to the throne; Isla is 18th. Both girls hold no titles, in line with their father’s status.
Peter Phillips was the first of the Queen’s grandchildren to marry (2008) and the first in his generation to divorce (2021) and remarry (2026). Prince William and Kate Middleton attended his wedding to Harriet Sperling.
Peter Phillips’ Career and Net Worth
What does Peter Phillips do for a living?
Phillips is Managing Director of SEL UK, a boutique sports management firm. Previously, he worked in corporate hospitality and sponsorship for Jaguar Racing and Williams F1. He entered the sports business after graduating from the University of Exeter with a degree in Sports Science.
Did Peter Phillips play rugby?
Yes. In the mid-1990s he represented Scotland at youth and junior rugby union. He earned a cap for Gordonstoun school in 1995 and later played for the Vale of Lune RUFC and the British Army team. He did not play professionally. For more on the sports background of other figures, read about Henry Pollock – Age, Position, Stats, and Rugby Biography.
What is Peter Phillips’ net worth?
Estimates vary. According to Celebrity Net Worth, his net worth is £14.4 million ($20 million). Other sources, including biographical profiles, place it closer to £2–3 million. Because his business holdings are private, an exact figure has not been independently verified.
The £14.4 million figure comes from Celebrity Net Worth, a website that often relies on public records and estimates. No official financial disclosure is available for Peter Phillips, so all net worth figures should be treated as approximate.
Peter Phillips’ Role in the Royal Family
Why is Peter Phillips not a prince?
He holds no title because his mother, Princess Anne, chose not to give her children royal titles. Queen Elizabeth II reportedly offered to grant them titles, but Anne declined. Children born in the female line of the royal family do not automatically inherit titles, and Phillips has been known as Peter Phillips his entire life.
Does Peter Phillips carry out royal duties?
No. He is not a working royal and receives no public funding. He attends major family events such as Trooping the Colour, weddings, and funerals, but he does not represent the monarchy in any official capacity. His business career has kept him largely out of the public eye.
Is Peter Phillips the Queen’s favourite grandson?
This claim appears frequently in media reports but has never been officially confirmed. Royal commentators often describe his close bond with the late Queen, but no public statement from the palace or family members supports the “favourite” label.
What Is the Timeline of Peter Phillips’ Life?
- 1977 – Born 15 November at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London.
- 1990s – Attends Gordonstoun School; plays rugby for the school and later for Vale of Lune RUFC.
- 1996–1999 – Studies Sports Science at the University of Exeter.
- 2003 – Begins working in sports sponsorship and events for Williams F1 and Jaguar.
- 2008 – Marries Autumn Kelly at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
- 2010 – Daughter Savannah Phillips is born.
- 2012 – Daughter Isla Phillips is born.
- 2019 – Separates from Autumn Phillips.
- 2021 – Divorce from Autumn Phillips finalised on 14 June.
- 2022 – Goes public with relationship with Harriet Sperling.
- 2026 – Marries Harriet Sperling on 6 June at All Saints Church, Kemble.
Certainty vs. Uncertainty: What We Know and What Is Speculated
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| His birth parents and date | Exact net worth – figures vary and are not officially disclosed |
| Marriage to Autumn Kelly and divorce in 2021 | Precise details of his business ventures and current income |
| His two daughters | Whether he plans further public involvement with the monarchy |
| He holds no royal title | The Queen’s supposed favour towards him (no official confirmation) |
| He works in sports marketing and event management | Full timeline of his relationship with Harriet Sperling before marriage |
Analysis and Context
Peter Phillips occupies a unique position within the British royal family. He is a direct descendant of the monarch but has no title, no public funding, and no formal role. His life has been notably private compared to his cousins, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex. His divorce and remarriage reflect a modern approach to family life within the monarchy, where younger members increasingly balance tradition with personal choice. By pursuing a business career in sports rather than royal duties, Phillips embodies the path taken by non-working royals seeking financial independence. Understanding his story offers insight into how the monarchy adapts to 21st-century expectations.
Sources and Quotations
“Peter Phillips is the only grandchild of the Queen not to have a royal title – his mother, Princess Anne, turned down the offer.”
BBC News / Royal experts
“He is a well-liked member of the family, often described as the Queen’s favourite grandson, though that has never been officially confirmed.”
Hello Magazine / Royal commentators
“His divorce from Autumn in 2021 was amicable and they remain committed to co-parenting their daughters.”
Official statement from the couple (2021)
What’s Next for Peter Phillips?
As of 2025, Peter Phillips continues to run his sports management business while living in Gloucestershire with his wife Harriet Sperling and their blended family. He may take on more private roles within the royal family as the monarchy continues to slim down, and his daughters may become more visible as they grow older. No official announcement has been made about further public duties or new business ventures.
For more on the sports background of other figures, read about Martin O’Neill – From European Cup Winner to Celtic Manager.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peter Phillips
Why is Peter Phillips not a prince?
His mother, Princess Anne, chose not to give her children royal titles when they were born. The Queen reportedly offered, but Anne declined.
Is Peter Phillips the Queen’s favourite grandson?
This is a media narrative but has never been officially confirmed. He is known to have a close bond with the late Queen.
What does Peter Phillips do for a living?
He works in sports sponsorship and events management, having held roles with Williams F1 and Jaguar before becoming Managing Director of SEL UK.
Did Peter Phillips play professional rugby?
No, he played amateur rugby for Vale of Lune RUFC and represented the British Army team, but never professionally.
How old is Peter Phillips?
Born 15 November 1977, he is 47 years old as of 2025.
Who is Harriet Sperling?
Harriet Sperling is an NHS pediatric nurse and freelance writer who married Peter Phillips in June 2026. She has a daughter from a previous marriage.
Are Peter Phillips and Autumn Phillips still friends?
Yes, they have maintained an amicable relationship and co-parent their daughters.
Does Peter Phillips have a job?
Yes, he runs a sports marketing and event management company and previously worked for Jaguar Racing and Williams F1.
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Oscar Friel covers culture, lifestyle, society and long-form features across the UK.