Princess Anne’s Son Just Made a Rare Public Appearance After Report William Has Plans For His Cousins When He’s King
Jason Pham
Princess Anne’s son, Peter Phillips, made a rare appearance at Wimbledon with his new girlfriend, Harriet Sperling.
Peter, whom Princess Anne shares with her ex-husband Mark Phillips, attended the event in a navy blazer, khaki pants, white shirt, and a navy-and-red striped tie. Harriet, whom the royal has been dating for the past year, wore a light blue linen skirt set. Peter and Harriet met their public debut in May 2021 at the Badminton Horse Trials, where Peter’s sister, Zara Tindall, was competing.
Peter’s public appearance with his girlfriend comes after his divorce from his ex-wife, Autumn Phillips, whom he separated from in 2020 before finalizing their divorce in 2021.
“Mr Peter Phillips and Mrs Autumn Phillips are pleased to be able to report that the financial aspects of their divorce have been resolved through agreement, the terms of which have been approved and ordered by the High Court today,” a spokesperson for Peter said in a statement at the time. Whilst this is a sad day for Peter and Autumn, they continue to put the wellbeing and upbringing of their wonderful daughters Savannah and Isla first and foremost. Both Peter and Autumn are pleased to have resolved matters amicably with the children firmly at the forefront of those thoughts and decisions. Peter & Autumn have requested privacy and consideration for their children as the family adapts to a new chapter in their lives.”
Peter’s public appearance also comes after The New York Post reported that Peter’s cousin, Prince William, who is first in line for the crown after King Charles, is keeping his cousins on “ice” ahead of his inevitable ascension to the throne. While the report specifically mentioned Peter and William’s cousins, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice—who are the daughters of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson—it’s possible that William’s plan could extend to other family members. “They’re valuable assets and I’m certain they’ll get involved with royal duties when William becomes king,” Ingrid Seward, royal author and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told Hello! magazine.
Seward added that she was “certain” Beatrice and Eugenie will “get involved with royal duties” once William becomes king. (Currently, the sisters are not working members of the Firm.) “It makes perfect sense, because he will need them,” Seward said. “I see them as a sort of double act, working together in the same way as married couples do. Two gorgeous Princesses working together as sisters would be very powerful. I think it would be wonderful, and I think it will happen.”
Buckingham Palace sources also told the New York Post that Beatrice and Eugenie are “well aware” of William’s plans for them. “I think they would be open to doing more, because they like to give back,” Seward told Hello!, adding that the sisters are “being kept on ice” until their new roles come.
She added, “They have always been close to William, and the King is very fond of them too. I see them taking on the sort of role that Princess Alexandra and the Duchess of Kent had when they were younger, working very hard doing philanthropic work, but not taking center stage.”
Seward also predicted that Beatrice and Eugenie will become “much higher profile” once William becomes king.
“I think people see them as a couple of really charming young married women who are relatable and aren’t entitled,” she said. “And I think people feel for them because they’ve got this family problem, with their father, which is very embarrassing and difficult for them.”
