While many members of the Royal Family are constantly in the headlines, there are several others who live out of the public eye and attract little attention. Peter Phillips is one of these royals who is a relative of the Queen but pays little heed to his royal status.
Princess Anne's son is the late Queen's eldest grandchild who is rarely seen in public and only normally joins his family at events of national significance. Peter is celebrating his 45th birthday today and has been allowed to quietly modernise a strict royal rule with his public appearances this year.
Peter Mark Andrew Phillips was born on November 15, 1977 to Anne, Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington. He is the elder brother of Zara Tindall.
He was the first royal to be born in a hospital, rather than at home and his birth set the tradition for the likes of Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince George to also be born in a hospital.
As Letters Patent by King George V in 1917 detail, he was not eligible to hold a princely title as he is a descendant from the female line. It is thought that the Queen offered to give him a title at the time of his birth, but Princess Anne turned it down.
Peter became the first of the late Queen's grandchildren to get divorced and has subsequently redefined royal protocol with his appearances during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.
Love the royals? Sign up for the Mirror's daily newsletter to get all the latest news on the Queen, Charles, Kate, Wills, Meghan, Harry and the rest of The Firm. Click here to sign up .
Peter was seen several times during the historic Platinum Jubilee celebrations and was joined by his girlfriend, Lindsay Wallace.
While Meghan Markle was permitted to accompany her then-fiancée Prince Harry to the Royal Family's Christmas celebrations in 2017, Peter and Lindsay's joint presence redefined protocol as any royal girlfriend or boyfriend has normally not been invited to attend significant national events.
Lindsay is the daughter of an oil tycoon who has known Peter's sister, Zara, since their days at Gordonstoun School.
Lindsay was seen with Peter watching the races at the Epsom Derby and joined him in the royal box for The Platinum Jubilee Pageant. She also joined Peter for events at Ascot Racecourse and at Wimbledon.
It is not known exactly when they started their relationship but it is thought it turned romantic after they both went through their respective divorces.
Peter married to Canadian-born Autumn Kelly at St George's Chapel on May 17, 2008. The couple share two daughters, Savannah Anne Kathleen Phillips was born on December 29, 2011 and Isla Elizabeth Phillips on March 29, 2012. In early January 2020, Peter and Autumn announced that they had separated and would be filing for divorce.
Their divorce was finalised on June 14, 2021 and a statement released on their behalf 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 & Autumn have requested privacy and consideration for their children as the family adapts to a new chapter in their lives."
