- The Queen's grandson Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn have confirmed they have separated.
The Queen’s grandson Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn have confirmed they have separated.
A statement issued on their behalf said the decision to divorce was “the best course of action for their two children and ongoing friendship”.
It said they will share custody of their children Savannah, nine, and Isla, seven.
Both of their families were “sad” but “fully supportive” of the decision to “co-parent”, the statement added.
The couple told the Queen and other royal family members about their decision last year.
Mr Phillips, 42, is the son of the Princess Royal and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips.
He is the eldest grandchild of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
He married Canadian Autumn Kelly, 41, at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in 2008, and the couple have brought up their children in Gloucestershire
“The decision to divorce and share custody came about after many months of discussions and although sad, is an amicable one,” the statement read.
It added: “Peter and Autumn have requested privacy and compassion for their children while the family continues to adapt to these changes.”
While Mr Phillips is a member of the Royal Family, he is not a working royal and does not have a royal title because he is descended from the female line.
He refused the offer of an earldom when he married so his children do not have courtesy titles.
Last month the Daily Mail revealed that he featured in a Chinese television advert endorsing milk from Jersey cows.
