Princess Anne, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, is a working member of the Royal Family known for a demanding schedule of engagements and charity leadership. Her family life centers on her two children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, both of whom have chosen careers and paths away from frontline royal duties while remaining supportive members of the institution. This profile explains who Princess Anne’s children are, their ages, roles, marriages, children, and verified details drawn from official and reputable sources, emphasizing clarity and factual accuracy for long-term relevance.
Quick facts at a glance
Below are key, verifiable details about Princess Anne’s children. These points are drawn from official court notices, biographies, and authoritative reporting, focusing on names, dates, and roles that are unlikely to change.
| Name | Birth date | Spouse/partner | Children of Anne | Common role/public role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Phillips | 15 November 1977 | Autumn Kelly (m. 2008) | Savannah Phillips, Isla Phillips | Business executive; not a working royal |
| Zara Tindall | 15 January 1981 | Mike Tindall (m. 2011)Mia Tindall, Lena Tindall, Lucas Tindall | Former equestrian; charity and business engagements |
Princess Anne’s family context
Princess Anne grew up in the public eye as the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II and developed a reputation for diligence and public service. Her own family milestones—her marriage to Captain Mark Phillips in 1973, the births of her children, and later their partnerships—have been followed with interest but remain distinct from the constitutional duties of senior royals. Understanding her parental role helps frame how her children have been raised and the expectations placed on them.
Peter Phillips: the elder child
Peter Phillips, born 15 November 1977, is Princess Anne’s only son. He was first in line to the throne at birth until the birth of his cousin Prince William shifted the succession. Peter attended university and has pursued a career in the private sector, notably in commercial vehicle engineering and sponsorship roles. He married Autumn Kelly in 2008, and they have two daughters, Savannah and Isla, both of whom were born before his father, Captain Mark Phillips. By choosing a career outside public funding and official duties, Peter embodies a path that prioritizes professional life over royal representation.
Key points: Peter Phillips
- Birth: 15 November 1977, at St Mary’s Hospital, London.
- Marriage: Wed Autumn Kelly on 17 May 2008 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
- Children: Savannah Elizabeth Phillips (2010), Isla Elizabeth Phillips (2012).
- Career: Engineering and commercial sponsorship roles; no official royal duties.
Zara Tindall: the younger child
Zara Tindall, born 15 January 1981, is an accomplished equestrian who competed at the highest levels of eventing. Though she trained and competed internationally, she stepped back from elite sport around the time of her marriage to focus on family and selected commercial and charitable activities. She and her husband, Mike Tindall, have three children: Mia, Lena, and Lucas. Like Peter Phillips, Zara maintains a lower profile than working royals, appearing at selected national and charitable events while directing her time toward business and philanthropy.
Key points: Zara Tindall
- Birth: 15 January 1981, at St Mary’s Hospital, London.
- Marriage: Wed Mike Tindall on 30 June 2011 at the Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh.
- Children: Mia Grace Tindall (2014), Lena Elizabeth Tindall (2018), Lucas Philip Tindall (2021).
- Career: Former professional equestrian; charity trustee and board roles; no official royal duties.
Marriage choices and public role decisions
Both Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall married without requiring parliamentary consent (the sovereign’s approval), a status tied to earlier laws that applied before their marriages. More importantly, they have consciously avoided formal royal roles that would require public funding or sustained official duties. This aligns with a broader trend in modern royal families toward privately funded careers and reduced media presence. Their decisions reflect personal priorities, and they remain active in sectors such as business, sport, and charitable work when they choose to appear publicly.
Family relationships and succession context
Princess Anne’s children are further removed in the line of succession than their cousins, a natural result of the monarch’s children taking priority. This has practical implications: they do not perform official state functions on behalf of the Crown and are not expected to uphold the same schedule of engagements as working royals. Yet they maintain family ties, attend key ceremonial occasions when invited, and support the monarchy through charitable and professional contributions in their own ways.
Verified sources and clarity on enduring details
The information above reflects data commonly reported by trusted outlets, parliamentary records on marriages, and official court publications. Birth dates, marriage locations, and the absence of public funding for their work are examples of stable, verifiable facts. By focusing on these enduring attributes, this profile remains useful over time, regardless of media cycles or temporary speculation about royal family dynamics.
Summary comparison at a glance
Comparing the two children of Princess Anne in a concise format helps highlight their shared background and distinct paths.
| Attribute | Peter Phillips | Zara Tindall |
|---|---|---|
| Birth date | 15 November 1977 | 15 January 1981 |
| Marriage year | 2008 | 2011 |
| Children | 2 (Savannah, Isla) | 3 (Mia, Lena, Lucas) |
| Public role | None; private business career | None; selective charitable and business work |
| Notable former pursuit | N/A | Equestrian sport at elite level |
Closing note on usefulness and perspective
This verified explanation of Princess Anne’s children emphasizes stable facts, clarity of roles, and context for how younger royals are choosing to live their lives. The focus on enduring details ensures the content remains informative for readers researching family structures, career choices, or the evolution of royal participation in modern society.