Inside Princess Anne’s enduring relationship with former daughter-in-law Autumn Phillips

The Princess Royal’s son Peter Phillips was previously married to Autumn Phillips from 2008 to 2021 and shares two daughters with her

he royals welcomed a new member to the family on 6 June as Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips said “I do” to NHS nurse Harriet Sperling. While Peter’s two daughters were bridesmaids on his special day, one person noticeably absent from the family reunion was his ex-wife.

Peter was married to management consultant Autumn Kelly from 2008 to 2021 and co-parents daughters Savannah, 15, and Isla, 14, with her. While the couple separated in late 2019, Autumn has appeared to remain on good terms with Peter’s family, including her former mother-in-law, Princess Anne.

Just last April, the Princess Royal was pictured catching up with her former daughter-in-law at the Cirencester Park horse trials. Read on for all you need to know about Anne’s enduring relationship with Autumn, and how Peter’s ex is “obviously still part of the family”.

© Getty Images
Autumn Phillips and Princess Anne grabbing coffee together the Gatcombe Horse Trials in 2018

Public catch-ups

During her marriage to Peter, Autumn joined her mother-in-law and other members of the royal family at various events, including Trooping the Colour, the royal family’s Christmas Day Service at Sandringham and the annual Gatcombe Park Horse Trials, which is hosted on Anne’s private Gloucestershire estate.

Anne and Autumn greeted each other with a hug at the horse trials in 2019 and were pictured side by side while attending Royal Ascot the year before.

© Getty Images
Autumn Phillips kisses her then mother-in-law Princess Anne as they attend the 2012 Gatcombe Horse Trials

When Autumn and Peter announced their split in February 2020, a statement on behalf of the couple read: “Both families were naturally sad at the announcement, but fully supportive of Peter and Autumn in the joint decision to co-parent their children.” The statement also confirmed that both Peter and Autumn would remain living in Gloucestershire.

‘Still part of the family’

Princess Anne, Princess Royal and former daughter-in-law Autumn Phillip attend the Cirencester Park Horse Trials in April 2025

Four years on from her divorce being finalised, Autumn joined her former mother-in-law at the 2025 Gatcombe Park Horse Trials.

© Getty Images
Princess Anne and her former daughter-in-law Autumn Phillips attend the Cirencester Park Horse Trials in April 2025

At the time, royal photographer James Whatling told HELLO!: “Autumn was there, which was nice to see. She’s obviously still part of the family and was chatting to Anne and everyone else. She’s certainly not been ostracised in any way, and it was a nice little support team for Zara. They were all following her around to each section – dressage, showjumping etc.”

“They’re a tight unit and they all know each other,” James added.

Blended family

The Princess Royal is a grandmother to six, including Autumn and Peter’s two young daughters. When the couple’s split was announced, the statement confirmed the two would “continue to put the wellbeing and upbringing of their wonderful daughters Savannah and Isla first and foremost”.

Savannah and Isla both played a special role in their dad’s wedding to Harriet Sperling over the weekend, serving as bridesmaids alongside the bride’s daughter, Georgina. The three girls all looked lovely in matching Emilia Wickstead dresses and flower crowns while helping Harriet arrange her veil.

CRE: https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/906371/inside-princess-annes-enduring-relationship-former-daughter-in-law-autumn-phillips/