Buckingham Palace Declines to Comment on Rumors of Peter Phillips's Separation from His Wife Autumn

Photo credit: Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images
Photo credit: Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images

From Town & Country

And the royal drama continues. In the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's unprecedented decision to step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family, and the ongoing controversy over Prince Andrew's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, rumors have started circulating that Queen Elizabeth's oldest grandson Peter Phillips is separating from his wife Autumn.

The news was initially reported by the Sun on Monday evening, with the tabloid citing an anonymous source who said the British monarch was "upset" to hear of the separation.

A friend also told the publication: “Certainly none of us think either Peter or Autumn are involved with anyone else. It just seems they have grown apart but it’s come as a bolt out of the blue for Peter and he’s very upset.”

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the matter, and it has yet to be confirmed by any party involved.

Peter and Autumn, who is originally from Montreal, first met while working at a Formula One motor race, but Autumn didn't immediately know Peter was a member of the royal family—that is, until she saw him on TV.

"Mum said 'Oh Autumn! What have you gotten yourself into?'" she later told Hello! magazine.

In 2008, the couple tied the knot at Windsor Castle and have since gone on to have two children together: Savannah and Isla, who are now 9 and 7, respectively.

Photo credit: SHAUN CURRY - Getty Images
Photo credit: SHAUN CURRY - Getty Images

While Peter does not hold a royal title—Princess Anne reportedly refused one for him when he was born in hopes that he might live a more normal life—he is sometimes referred to as the Queen's favorite grandchild in the press, and he, his wife, and his children often attend family events such as the annual balcony appearance at the Trooping the Colour parade.

Over the years, Autumn has spoken warmly of her royal relatives: "They're just a family, they're happy, they have great relationships with each other — they're very close," she once told the CBC, noting that the Queen "knows more about Canada than I ever will."

We'll continue to update this story should more information be made public.

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