Peter Phillips, the son of Princess Anne, has announced his engagement to Harriet Sperling, an NHS nurse. The couple, who have been together for over a year, shared the joyful news with both families, who expressed their delight at the announcement.
A statement released on their behalf read, “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.” The announcement included that “Their Majesties The King and Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales have been informed of the announcement.”
Currently, there is no official date set for the wedding. Peter, aged 47, is the nephew of King Charles and the eldest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II. He was born fifth in line to the throne, a position he maintained until the birth of his cousin, William, Prince of Wales, in 1982.
Peter has two daughters, Savannah and Isla, from his previous marriage to Autumn Kelly. The couple wed in 2008 but announced their separation in February 2020, finalizing their divorce in June 2021. At that time, a statement emphasized their commitment to their daughters’ well-being, noting, “Both Peter and Autumn are pleased to have resolved matters amicably with the children firmly at the forefront of those thoughts and decisions.”
Following his separation, Peter was in a relationship with Lindsay Wallace for three years, during which they attended various royal events together, including King Charles’ Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle.
Peter and Harriet first made their public debut as a couple in May 2024 at the Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire. They later appeared together in the royal box during Wimbledon that same summer. Harriet has participated in several royal family events alongside Peter, including the Royal Ascot race meet, showcasing their growing bond.
The timing of their engagement announcement is notable, occurring just a day after Lady Eliza Spencer, Princess Diana’s niece, revealed her own engagement to her long-time boyfriend, Channing Miller, in Santorini, Greece.
As the royal family continues to expand with new engagements, both Peter and Harriet look ahead to this exciting new chapter in their lives.
