NEED TO KNOW
- Peter Philips, the eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth, announced his engagement to Harriet Sperling on Aug. 1
- A diamond expert tells PEOPLE that the ring appears to be “a timeless trilogy design, likely showcasing a central oval or round diamond, flanked by trapeze-cut or triangular side stones”
- Philips was previously married to Autumn Kelly from 2008 to 2021
Peter Philips announced his engagement to pediatric nurse Harriet Sperling on Friday, meaning another royal wedding is on the way.
“Mr. Peter Phillips, the son of HRH The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips, and Ms. Harriet Sperling, daughter of the late Mr. Rupert Sanders and Mrs. Mary Sanders of Gloucestershire, have today confirmed their official engagement,” the couple’s spokesperson said in a statement shared with PEOPLE.
“Both families were informed jointly of the announcement and were delighted with the wonderful news of their engagement. Their Majesties The King and Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales have been informed of the announcement,” the statement continued. “No date has officially been set for the wedding.”
Peter, 47, popped the question to Harriet, 45, with a stunning ring that 77 Diamonds co-founder Tobias Kormind said “appears to be a timeless trilogy design, likely showcasing a central oval or round diamond, flanked by trapeze-cut or triangular side stones.”
“While an exact valuation would require a clearer image and knowledge of its provenance, a similar design with diamonds of comparable quality and size crafted at 77 Diamonds would typically be priced from around £10,000, with the final price reflecting individual choices in cut, carat and craftsmanship,” the diamond expert added.
Peter, the son of Princess Anne and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, was previously married to Autumn Kelly from 2008 to 2021. The former couple share two daughters, Savannah, 14, and Isla, 13.
Harriet is from a prominent English line herself, as she descends from the Courage family, who founded the well-known Courage Brewery, according to the Daily Mail. Hello! reported that she also has a daughter, named Georgia.
Peter and Harriet made their public debut as a couple in May 2024 at the Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire, U.K. He introduced his now-fiancée to King Charles and Queen Camilla later that summer, indicating that the two were getting serious.
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Though he is the eldest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth and was fifth in line to the throne when he was born in 1977, Peter holds no royal titles.
Princess Anne made the decision not to bestow titles on him and his younger sister, Zara, in order to help them lead more normal lives.
“I think it was probably easier for them, and I think most people would argue that there are downsides to having titles,” she told Vanity Fair in 2020. “So I think that was probably the right thing to do.”
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