More Royals Drama!! The Queen's Grandson Peter Phillips & His Wife Are Getting A Divorce

There’s been SO MUCH royal news happening as of lately, it’s hard to keep up! But this time, it has nothing to do with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, or Prince Andrew!

Though it may not seem like it at times, the fam expands far past Meg, Harry, Kate Middleton, and Prince William. In fact, the Queen has eight grandchildren, and one of them is getting divorced.

Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips, is calling it quits with his wife Autumn Phillips, whom he has been married to since May 2008. A spokesperson for the pair told British network ITV in a statement:

“They had reached the conclusion that this was the best course of action for their two children and ongoing friendship. The decision to divorce and share custody came about after many months of discussions and, although sad, is an amicable one.”

The two first met at the Montreal Grand Prix in 2003 and tied the knot at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle five years later. Peter and Autumn have two daughters together, 9-year-old Savannah Phillips and 7-year-old Isla Phillips. The statement continued:

“The couple’s first priority will remain the continued well-being and upbringing of their wonderful daughters, Savannah and Isla. Both families were naturally sad at the announcement, but fully supportive of Peter and Autumn in the joint decision to co-parent their children.”

Though additional details have yet to be released at this time, the outlet reported Autumn — who is Canadian — plans to remain in Gloucestershire, England, to help raise their girls.

You may not be too familiar with Peter and his family because they have no royal titles. His mother and father chose to give their children — with Her Majesty’s permission — a life of normalcy without the pressures which come with the Windsor name. At the time of his birth, the now-42-year-old was the first legitimate grandchild born to a monarch without a title in over 500 years.

Historically, the Church of England has taken a firm stance on the topic of divorce. Love once even made a King step down from his role! As you’ll likely recall, one of the most talked-about separations of the 1990s was that of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, who divorced in 1996. Today, the reigning monarch generally gives approval on any divorces or marriages, especially if someone marrying into the family (Camilla Parker Bowles or Meghan, for example) has been divorced.

[Image via John Rainford/WENN.]