After his sudden divorce to his first wife Autumn Kelly, Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips has found love again with NHS paediatric nurse Harriet Sperling, with the couple preparing to tie the knot today
Peter Phillips has found love once again as he prepares to marry NHS nurse Harriet Sperling in a private ceremony in Cirencester on Saturday. The couple were first rumoured to be dating back in 2024, as they were spotted together at the Badminton Horse Trials.
With their nuptials just hours away, the Royal Family are preparing for the wedding, which will be Peter’s second. And while the couple seem happier than ever, Princess Anne’s son hasn’t always been lucky in love.
Peter’s first notable romance was with American cod liver oil heiress Elizabeth Lorio. The pair were an item for two years, even sharing a home together for eight months in 2001. He subsequently dated flight attendant Tara Swain, though they went their separate ways after just four months.
But in 2003, Peter’s world shifted dramatically when he was introduced to Autumn Kelly, a Canadian management consultant, at the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. After five years of dating, the couple married at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on May 17, 2008, with his beloved grandparents, the late Queen and Prince Philip, amongst the wedding guests.
Peter and Autumn went on to have two children: Savannah Anne Kathleen – the late Queen’s oldest great-grandchild – who was born on 29 December 2010, and her younger sister Isla Elizabeth, who arrived on 29 March 2012.
However, after eight years of marriage, Peter and Autumn publicly announced their split in February 2020, with their divorce settlement finalised in June 2021.
A statement released at the time read: “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.
“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 and Autumn have requested privacy and consideration for their children as the family adapts to a new chapter in their lives.”
Following the breakdown of his marriage, Peter went on to begin a relationship with Lindsay Wallace, with the pair making their public debut as a couple at the Epsom Derby in June 2022.
The pair had been acquainted for quite some time before getting together; she was a classmate of Peter’s sister Zara at Gordonstoun, attended Zara’s 2011 wedding to Mike Tindall, and was also present at the christening of their son Lucas.
However, in April 2024 after three years of dating, Peter and Lindsay brought their romance to a close, with an insider revealing the relationship had simply “run its course”. Conflicting schedules and commitments were believed to be the driving force behind the split, with Lindsay based in Scotland while Peter regularly travels the globe for work.
A close friend of the couple told HELLO! Magazine at the time that the news had caught many off guard. “Peter and Lindsay made the difficult decision to separate as they were spending less time together with work and family commitments. Peter’s business commitments and work in F1 meant he has been away and travelling non stop,” the source said.
“It obviously came as a shock as most people thought they were absolutely rock solid, it’s very sad. Peter has been travelling all over the world and has been incredibly busy and Lindsay is based up in Scotland, so it’s been hard for them to see each other.”
Just weeks later, rumours started to swirl of Peter’s budding relationship with Harriet Sperling. The pair were spotted hand-in-hand at the cross-country riding event two years ago before departing in a car with Peter’s daughters.
“They looked completely smitten and he was grinning from ear to ear,” an onlooker told the Sun at the time. “He looked like the cat that got the cream and acted without a care in the world.”
The couple announced their engagement in August 2025 after just over a year of dating. A statement on behalf of the couple confirmed the news, as it 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.
“Both families were informed jointly of the announcement and were delighted with the wonderful news of their engagement. Their Majesties The King and Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales have been informed of the announcement.”
Peter and Harriet’s wedding will take place at All Saints Church, Kemble, Cirencester, in front of many of the senior royals, including the King and Queen, Prince and Princess of Wales, Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, Zara and Mike Tindall.
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