Peter Phillips Engaged to Harriet Sperling Under Royal Spotlight
Jordan Collins here. I suppose I can clarify this for you. Peter Phillips, the 47-year-old son of Princess Anne and her former husband Mark Phillips, has officially confirmed his engagement to longtime girlfriend Harriet Sperling after a little over a year of dating.
According to a statement released on August 1 by spokesperson Gerard Franklin to Hello! Magazine, “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.” Franklin added that “both families were informed jointly of the announcement and were delighted with the wonderful news of their engagement.”
It should surprise no one that wider royal reaction has been equally enthusiastic. The statement noted that “Their Majesties The King and Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales have been informed of the announcement.” That means King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate all share in the excitement. At this point, no wedding date has been set, so you can put your order in for hats and fascinators at any time.
The couple first made waves in May 2024 when they were spotted strolling around the Badminton Horse Trials hand in hand. Since then, they have kept a relatively low profile, though they did make a rare public appearance at Wimbledon 2025. If you missed their matching sun hats you probably weren’t paying attention.
This engagement marks a new chapter for Peter, who was previously married to Autumn Phillips from 2008 until 2020. The former couple share two daughters, Savannah, now 14, and Isla, now 13. When they announced their separation back in 2020, a royal family representative explained, “They had reached the conclusion that this was the best course of action for their two children and ongoing friendship,” and emphasized that “the couple’s first priority will remain the continued well-being and upbringing of their wonderful daughters.” It appears they have managed to remain on good terms ever since.
Harriet Sperling, 45, hails from Gloucestershire and is the daughter of the late Rupert Sanders and Mary Sanders. She has maintained a discreet presence in royal circles, appearing only occasionally alongside Peter at high-profile events. You might not find her on the cover of every society magazine, but insiders say she has won over the royal clan with her understated elegance and genuine warmth.
As the only grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II without a royal title, Peter does not perform official duties, which may have appealed to someone who values a quieter life. That said, this engagement will inevitably place the couple further in the public eye. Will they follow in the footsteps of other royal family weddings with pageantry, or choose a more private ceremony? Only time will tell.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. You can rely on me to keep you informed—because clearly, you needed a guide for this.
Let’s hope you’re not too lost when invites land in the post.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Hello! Magazine, E! News
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
