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Princess Anneand her first husband,Captain Mark Phillips, welcomed two children over the course of their 19-year marriage:Peter Phillips, 46, andZara Tindall, 42.
The only daughter ofQueen ElizabethandPrince Philip, Princess Anne wed Phillips at Westminster Abbey in London in 1973. She was the first ofthe Queen’s four childrento marry. Millions of people watched as the couple exchanged vows, with the princess wearing a Tudor-style dress with trumpet sleeves and the same tiara her mother wore at her own wedding to the Duke of Edinburgh in 1947.
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The couple welcomed their first child, son Peter, in 1977, and their second child, daughter Zara, in 1981. In an effort to give her kids normal childhoods, Princess Anne decided not to give them royal titles.
“I think it was probably easier for them, and I think most people would argue that there are downsides to having titles,” she toldVanity Fairin 2020. “So I think that was probably the right thing to do.”
Peter and Zara have been afixture at royal events, includingKing Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronationon May 6, 2023. The siblings attended the crowning ceremony atWestminster Abbeythough they did not join the procession or palace balcony appearance.
Here’s everything to know about Princess Anne’s two children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall.
Peter Phillips, 46
The first child of Princess Anne and Phillips, Peter was born on Nov. 15, 1977. He was alsoQueen Elizabeth’s first grandchild and the first royal to be born in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in London. At the time of his birth, Peter was fifth in the line of succession to the British throne; he is currently 17th.
He was married toAutumn Kellyfrom 2008 to 2021, after first meeting in 2003 at the Formula One Grand Prix in Montreal. Two years after their wedding at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, the former couple welcomed their first child — a daughter they namedSavannah. She was the first grandchild of Princess Anne and the first great-grandchild of the Queen.
On March 29, 2012, Peter and Autumn welcomed their second child. “Isla Elizabeth Phillips weighed 7 lbs. and 4 oz. and Mr. Peter Phillips was present at the birth,” the palacesaid in a statement.
In February 2020, Peter and Autumn announced their decision to end their marriage and theirdivorce was finalizedin June 2021.
Earlier in 2021, Peter made headlines when he walked between his cousinsPrince WilliamandPrince Harryduring the funeral procession for their grandfather, Prince Philip. Peter spent a great deal of time with William and Harry growing up, and was often seen at various events with his first cousins.
“He was such a fixture of all of our lives,” Peter toldBBCof his grandfather, who died on April 9, 2021. “He is sorely missed. He lived a remarkable life and if any of us can even live half the life that he did, we would all be extraordinarily happy.”
Peter was also extremely close to the lateQueen Elizabethand often spoke very highly of her. “She has been an inspirational person throughout my life,” he toldThe Telegraphin 2016.
In September 2022, Peter participated in the lateQueen Elizabeth’s processionto Westminster Abbey in London, where the state funeral for his grandmother was held. Peter and his cousins Prince Harry and Prince William had the honor of walking behind the first row closest to the coffin, which was comprised of the Queen’s four children.
Zara Tindall, 42
She has expressed being grateful to her mother for not giving her a royal title at birth. “I’m very lucky that both my parents decided to not use the title and we grew up and did all the things that gave us the opportunity to do,” Zara toldThe Timesin 2015.
Like her brother, Zara attended Gordonstoun School before enrolling at the University of Exeter. She also followed in her mother’s footsteps and became an accomplished equestrian. She earned a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics as part of the Great Britain Eventing team. Years later, Zara became a director at Cheltenham racecourse, according to theDaily Mail.
“The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Zara Phillips to Mr. Mike Tindall, son of Mr. Phillip and Mrs. Linda Tindall,” the palace said in a statement.
The twoexchanged vowsat Edinburgh’s charming 17th-century Canongate Kirk on July 30, 2011. “My wedding will be nothing like Kate and William’s … It will be a lot smaller, just close family and friends,” she toldHello!before tying the knot.
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On Jan. 17, 2014,Zara and Tindall welcomed their first child, a daughter namedMia Grace. “Thanks so much for all your kind messages. Definitely the best day of my life today, so happy! The girls are both doing great!” Tindall tweeted at the time.
The couple named their second daughterLena Elizabethin honor of her great-grandmother.
“So, it was run into the gym, get a mat, get into the bathroom, get a mat on the floor, towels down, ‘brace-brace-brace,'” he recalled. “Fortunately, the midwife, who was going to meet us at the hospital, wasn’t that far away. So she drove up, got there just as we’d assumed the pos-ish [as he called the position]. And then the second midwife arrived just after the head had arrived.”
The same month, Zara and Tindall walked hand in handdeparting Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral. The couple were on their way to the family’s procession to Windsor Castle for the Queen’s committal ceremony at St. George’s Chapel. The late monarch’s eldest granddaughter wore a black dress with a belt paired with an elegant matching hat.
source: people.com
