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Peter Phillips – Wife Harriet Sperling, Children, Job and Rugby

Henry Oliver Davies Harrison • 2026-08-02 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

Peter Phillips, the only son of Anne, Princess Royal, and Captain Mark Phillips, is a British businessman and a member of the British royal family. Born on 15 November 1977 in London, he is the eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II. His recent marriage to Harriet Sperling, an NHS nurse, has drawn significant public attention.

Beyond his family connections, Phillips has built a career in sports management and motorsport, and has a notable background in rugby. He is frequently described as a non-titled royal, as his mother chose not to give her children official titles. His recent wedding, reported by BBC News, marked a new chapter in his life.

Who Is Peter Phillips’ Wife, Harriet Sperling?

Peter Phillips at a glance

  • Full name: Peter Mark Andrew Phillips
  • Born: 15 November 1977, London
  • Parents: Anne, Princess Royal, and Captain Mark Phillips
  • Known for: Son of Princess Anne, King Charles III’s nephew, British businessman, recent wedding to Harriet Sperling

Key insights

  • The recent wedding to Harriet Sperling is the strongest freshness and news hook surrounding Peter Phillips.
  • Public search demand is split evenly between his relationship, family, career, and rugby background.
  • Peter Phillips is a royal without a title and is usually described strictly as a businessman.
  • The specific query about “Peter Phillips rugby” is notably underserved by the top-ranking search results.
  • He is King Charles III’s nephew through his mother, Anne, Princess Royal.
  • According to the BBC, he married Harriet Sperling in a private ceremony at All Saints Church, Kemble, Gloucestershire.

Snapshot facts

Category Detail
Full name Peter Mark Andrew Phillips
Date of birth 15 November 1977
Place of birth St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London
Parents Anne, Princess Royal, and Captain Mark Phillips
Occupation British businessman
Spouse Harriet Sperling (reported marriage in 2026)
Previous spouse Autumn Kelly (m. 2008, div. 2021)
Children Two daughters

Who Are Peter Phillips’ Children?

Peter Phillips has two daughters from his marriage to Autumn Kelly. The girls are the eldest grandchildren of the Princess Royal and hold a unique position within the younger generation of the royal family.

Who Are Peter Phillips’ Daughters?

His daughters are Savannah Phillips, born on 29 December 2010, and Isla Phillips, born on 29 March 2012. Both girls were born in Gloucester and are being raised away from the formal spotlight of royal duties.

Note on the Princess Royal’s grandchildren

Peter Phillips’ daughters, Savannah and Isla, are the oldest grandchildren of the Princess Royal, making them notable figures in the context of the extended royal family tree.

Who Are Peter Phillips’ Parents?

Peter Phillips is the son of Anne, Princess Royal, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, and Captain Mark Phillips, a former Olympic equestrian champion. His parents married in 1973 and divorced in 1992. Peter is the elder brother of Zara Tindall. According to the official royal family website, Princess Anne remains one of the most active members of the royal family. For more background on his mother, see the detailed profile on Anne Princess Royal – Biography, Children, Title and Facts.

What Is Peter Phillips’ Job?

Peter Phillips is described as a British businessman with a career focused on sports management and motorsport. He has held a variety of roles in this sector over the past two decades.

His professional experience includes positions at Jaguar Racing and Williams Racing, where he worked in commercial partnerships. He also spent time at the Royal Bank of Scotland and later served as managing director of SEL UK, a motorsport and events company. Sources also note his role as managing director of a boutique sports management firm. A profile on Britroyals provides further detail on his career trajectory.

Career in focus

Phillips’ career path reflects a strong focus on the intersection of sports management and motorsport business, with tenures at major organizations like Jaguar Racing, Williams Racing, and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

What Is Peter Phillips’ Rugby Connection?

Peter Phillips has a strong background in rugby. He attended the University of Exeter, where he studied Sports Science and played for the university rugby league team. His athletic talent was evident earlier in life, as he represented Scotland at rugby union youth and junior level. One source also states that he earned a cap for Scottish schoolboy rugby while attending Gordonstoun. His sporting pedigree is covered extensively in Tatler’s profile of the royal family.

This sporting background aligns with the broader athletic interests of his family, including his mother’s equestrian career. For insight into another prominent British sports personality, you can read about Clare Balding – Biography, Career, and Personal Life.

What Was Peter Phillips Like as a Young Royal?

As the eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II, Peter Phillips grew up largely away from the intense media spotlight, a decision made by his mother to provide a more normal upbringing. His life has followed a distinct timeline of key events.

  1. 15 November 1977: Born at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London.
  2. 17 May 2008: Married Autumn Kelly.
  3. 29 December 2010: Daughter Savannah Phillips was born.
  4. 29 March 2012: Daughter Isla Phillips was born.
  5. 2021: Divorced from Autumn Kelly.
  6. Reported by BBC: Married Harriet Sperling in a private ceremony at All Saints Church, Kemble, Gloucestershire.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Peter Phillips’ Recent Wedding?

Several facts about the wedding have been reported, but some details are still pending official confirmation.

Established information

  • Peter Phillips married Harriet Sperling.
  • The ceremony took place at All Saints Church, Kemble, Gloucestershire.
  • Harriet Sperling is an NHS nurse.

Information that remains unclear

  • The exact date of the marriage has not been officially confirmed by the royal family.
  • Details about Harriet Sperling’s background beyond her role as an NHS nurse remain limited.
Verify important details

The exact date of the marriage to Harriet Sperling has not been officially confirmed by the royal family, and details about her background beyond her role as an NHS nurse remain limited. Reports from HELLO! Magazine suggest the couple met through mutual friends.

What Is Peter Phillips’ Position Within the Royal Family?

Peter Phillips is the son of Anne, Princess Royal, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II. He is the eldest grandchild of the late Queen and a nephew of King Charles III. Despite these close familial ties, he does not hold a royal title. This is because his mother, Princess Anne, and his father, Captain Mark Phillips, chose not to accept titles for their children at the time of their birth.

This makes him a unique figure within the royal structure, often referred to as a “non-titled royal.” He is typically referred to as a British businessman rather than a working member of the royal family. His position is highlighted in an analysis by The Guardian regarding the evolving nature of royal duties.

What Do the Official Sources and Reports Say About Peter Phillips?

Several credible sources provide the foundation for the known facts about Peter Phillips.

“Peter Mark Andrew Phillips is a British businessman and member of the British royal family.”

Wikipedia lead

“King’s nephew Peter Phillips marries NHS nurse”

— BBC News headline

“Peter Phillips was born on 15 November 1977 at St Mary’s hospital, Paddington in London.”

Britroyals

What Is the Complete Overview of Peter Phillips’ Life and Career?

Peter Phillips is a British businessman and the only son of Anne, Princess Royal. He has built a career in sports management and motorsport, and is the father of two daughters. His recent marriage to NHS nurse Harriet Sperling marks a new chapter in his life. He remains a distinct figure in the royal landscape as a non-titled member of the family, with a personal history that includes rugby and a professional life focused on business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Peter Phillips?

Peter Phillips is the son of Anne, Princess Royal, and Captain Mark Phillips. He is a British businessman and a member of the British royal family.

Where did Peter Phillips marry Harriet Sperling?

According to BBC News, Peter Phillips married Harriet Sperling during a private ceremony at All Saints Church in Kemble, Gloucestershire.

How is Peter Phillips related to King Charles III?

Peter Phillips is King Charles III’s nephew through his mother, Anne, Princess Royal.

How many children does Peter Phillips have?

He has two daughters: Savannah Phillips, born in 2010, and Isla Phillips, born in 2012.

What is Peter Phillips’ job?

He is a British businessman with a background in sports management and motorsport, having worked for Jaguar Racing, Williams Racing, and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

What is Peter Phillips’ rugby connection?

He represented Scotland at rugby union youth and junior level and played for the University of Exeter rugby league team while studying Sports Science.

Does Peter Phillips have a royal title?

No, he does not hold a royal title. His mother, Princess Anne, chose not to give her children titles.

Henry Oliver Davies Harrison

About the author

Henry Oliver Davies Harrison

Henry Oliver Davies Harrison is Editor-in-Chief and a writer at PressOrbit, covering UK news, business and public affairs. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process, from research through to final approval, so that each article is accurate, clearly attributed and useful to readers.