Peter and Autumn Phillips separation was a ‘conscious uncoupling’ rather than a sudden split and they ‘won’t get a quickie divorce’, a source has revealed.
The Queen’s eldest grandson, 42, and his wife, 41, confirmed their separation after 12 years of marriage earlier this week.
A source close to the family told Vanity Fair their break-up came after a long period of discussion and said the royal family feel ‘sad but supportive of the situation’.
They added: ‘At the moment they are still sharing the marital home in Gloucestershire and there are no plans for a quickie divorce, there’s no rush and there is no suggestion of Autumn going to Canada.’
A royal source has revealed that Peter Phillips, 42, and wife Autumn, 41, ‘won’t get a quickie divorce’ and are continuing to live together with their daughters Savannah, nine, and Isla, seven, (pictured together at Trooping the Colour in June)
The source revealed the couple had ‘very sadly grown apart’, and said they’d been having discussions about their marriage for ‘some time’.
Meanwhile they added that the royal family had been aware things ‘hadn’t been going well’ since the autumn.
It was reported earlier this week that Peter and Autumn informed their families of their ‘amicable’ decision to divorce ‘at the end of last year’ after deciding it was ‘the best course of action for their two children and ongoing friendship’.
The statement, released by a spokesperson on behalf of the couple on Monday, revealed the former couple have both remained in Gloucestershire to co-parent daughters Savannah, nine, and Isla, seven.
The couple, who announced earlier this week they have separated, are said to have been in discussions about their marriage ‘for some time’ (pictured together in June 2019)
And despite the break-up of their marriage, Autumn is believed to remain close to members of the royal family including her sister-in-law Zara Tindall and husband Mike.
The source said: ‘She sees Mike and Zara every day and that won’t change. They’re all very close.’
The source added that the couple would take their separation ‘step-by-step.’
The two families both live on Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.
Meanwhile the rest of the royal family are said to be ‘sad but supportive’ as the couple ‘consciously uncouple’ (pictured with Prince Charles and the Queen at the Braemar Games in September)
Despite divorcing Peter, Autumn is good friends with Zara, who was a bridesmaid at the couple’s wedding in 2008, and will reportedly continue to work with Mike on his celebrity golfing events.
The families were pictured together at the Gatcombe Horse Trials on one of Autumn and Peter’s final public outings, alongside their children Savannah and Isla as well as Mike and Zara’s children Mia and Lena.
The statement issued earlier this week by Gerard Franklin, their official spokesperson, reads: ‘After informing HM The Queen and members of both families last year, Peter and Autumn jointly agreed to separate.
‘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.
Autumn is good friends with her sister-in-law Zara Tindall, with sources revealing the two remain close despite the marriage break-up
‘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.
‘Both Peter and Autumn have remained in Gloucestershire to bring up their two children where they have been settled for a number of years. Peter and Autumn have requested privacy and compassion for their children while the family continues to adapt to these changes.’