Peter Phillips announces engagement to girlfriend Harriet Sperling
The King, Queen and senior royals have been told the news but a date has yet to be officially set for the wedding.
Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling have yet to set a date for the wedding (5 MEDIA/PA)
A statement released on the couple's behalf said: '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.
'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. No date has been officially set for the wedding.'
Speculation about the relationship first began more than a year ago when they were spotted together at social events.
Peter Phillips married first wife Autumn Phillips nee Kelly in 2008 (Ian McIlgorm/PA)
More recently Peter and Harriet, an NHS nurse, were guests of Charles and Camilla on the first day of Royal Ascot in June.
The couple were invited to take part in the traditional carriage procession the royal family make onto the famous Berkshire racecourse to signal the start of the day.
Mr Phillips has two daughters, Savannah and Isla Phillips, from his first marriage to Autumn Phillips.
They couple married at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in 2008 and divorced more than 11 years later.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
Mum's £200 budget for entire summer holiday after hitting rock bottom in debt
Savvy spender Mercedes explained how her family went from living in their overdrafts to keeping their summer budget at £200 for all six-weeks of the school holiday Mercedes Smithson and her family of four are gearing up to stretch a mere £200 over the entire six-week school holiday. Despite the tight budget, Mercedes isn't embarrassed about the thrifty measures they'll be adopting this summer, following a reality check earlier in the year. The family reached rock bottom financially, having to borrow money from Mercedes' mother, max out credit cards, and withdraw wages early just to scrape by. With bills skyrocketing and finances stretched thin, Mercedes and her husband Joel decided to take control of their situation. Speaking to What's The Jam, she said: "We couldn't keep living in our overdrafts every month. Setting a £200 budget for the holidays felt scary at first, but it's actually taken a lot of pressure off. The kids don't need expensive trips – they just want time with us [my husband and me] and a bit of fun." The NHS assistant practitioner believes that while £200 might not seem like a lot, it can be stretched quite far with a bit of ingenuity. She admitted that being near the seaside has been a haven for keeping the children entertained at almost no cost. Her 12 year old son and eight year old daughter have been making the most of homemade picnics on the beach, river paddles, library visits, and playdates in local parks, all of which are free. And when it's time to cash out, Mercedes is always on the lookout for deals such as Pizza Hut's £1 kids' meals. Mercedes has assured her children they won't miss out on summer fun, as she's planned a grand day out at a theme park. Using £40 in Tesco Clubcard vouchers coupled with her Blue Light Card discount to minimise expenses. She explained: "I've had to get a lot more creative, but it's actually been fun finding cheap ways to keep the kids busy. They've not once complained or asked for anything expensive – they're just happy we're spending time together. "It's easy to feel guilty as a parent, like you're not doing enough, but I've realised memories don't have to cost money. We've had days full of laughter without any big price tags, and that's what counts. "Local events have been a lifesaver; they're often free and give the kids a chance to meet others. It really brings the community together." However, Mercedes admitted it takes some effort: "It's a bit of work to plan everything, but I actually enjoy the hunt for bargains and free fun. It's like a little game for me now. The satisfaction of making the budget stretch and still seeing the kids happy is worth every minute. It's taught me a lot about what really matters, and that's priceless." Taking to social media to share her journey and thrifty tips for the summer holidays, Mercedes quickly garnered a substantial following and heaps of encouragement from other parents keen to trim their own spending. She said: "I wasn't expecting so many messages from parents saying they feel the same way. It's comforting to know we're not alone. Being honest about money struggles can be hard, but it's helped me connect with others and feel proud of what I'm doing. "If anyone is secretly judging me, I honestly don't care. This is the smartest thing to do right now with how expensive everything's got."
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
'It's a reminder of childhood': How Pac-Man changed gaming
"Pac-Man [the character] was designed to represent the core concept of the game, 'to eat', in the simplest way possible," Michiko Kumagai, the licensing manager for the iconic character at the game's publisher, Bandai Namco, tells the BBC. "Just like the McDonald's arches, he's become an internationally recognised symbol. At one glance everyone can understand what Pac-Man means instinctively, [which] is why Pac-Man has reached such a wide audience." Reach a wide audience it certainly has. Originally called PuckMan in Japan, a reference to the Japanese phrase "paku paku taberu", which means to gobble something up while producing a greedy, jaw-snapping sound, Pac-Man is the most successful coin-triggered arcade game of all time, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The character remains an enduring symbol even today, with the franchise having generated an estimated $14bn in revenue, from both arcade machines and dozens of re-releases on home consoles; the games have appeared on everything from the Nintendo Entertainment System [NES] to the Xbox 360. Pac-Man has also racked up awareness-boosting cameos over recent years in big budget animated kids films including Wreck-It Ralph (2012) and Pixels (2015), while last month Bandai Namco released Shadow Labyrinth, a game that provides a fresh spin on the beloved Pac-Man gameplay. Why the game works so well "Pac-Man is one of the figureheads of the birth of mainstream video gaming," Peter Etchells, professor of science communication at Bath Spa University tells the BBC. "There was an elegant simplicity to its gameplay and design that I think captured a lot of players' imaginations." You don't need to be a hardcore gamer to appreciate the character's core purpose of strategic nibbling, with Pac-Man's gameplay both refreshingly simple and, ultimately, difficult to master. When it came to the original, gamers could either frenetically run around without much thought or, like many people did back in the 1980s, religiously read a How to win at Pac-Man guide that taught you how to memorise hundreds of complex maze patterns and optimal paths. Such tactical preparation would make you war-ready to compete at a Pac-Man tournament – of which thousands have been hosted worldwide.
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
How sharp ‘pinup' Laura Woods ‘tamed' party-loving playboy Adam Collard & was his rock through secret heartache
Their relationship hasn't been without its challenges, both public and private LAUR THE ONE How sharp 'pinup' Laura Woods 'tamed' party-loving playboy Adam Collard & was his rock through secret heartache Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN news first broke that celebrated sports presenter Laura Woods was dating Love Island's most notorious "love rat," Adam Collard, the internet was in a frenzy. The man who had a reputation for leaving a trail of broken hearts was now linked to a woman praised for her sharp wit, professionalism, and warm demeanor. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 12 Laura Woods and Adam Collard have been dating since October 2023 Credit: Instagram 12 A source close to the couple revealed: 'Adam says Laura is his soulmate' Credit: Instagram 12 Adam Collard is currently appearing in SAS: Who Dares Wins Credit: PA The pairing, who have nine years age difference, seemed an unlikely match, yet fast forward to 2025, the couple is not only engaged but have also welcomed a baby boy, Leo, into the world. The pair, who began dating in October 2023, proves that some of the best partnerships are built on the foundation of opposites. A source close to the couple revealed: 'Adam says Laura is his soulmate. 'He told everyone she was The One as soon as he met her - he'd seen her on TV before and always fancied her, she was like his ultimate pinup - but as he got to know her he realised she was so much more than just her looks. 'They are incredibly similar - driven, motivated, passionate, fun-loving but also homebodies. Adam doesn't even go out anymore. 'He's like a recluse (unless he's working or training he doesn't leave Laura's side). 'They like to stay in and cook together - he does most of the cooking for her! And they love going to his gym together - he also trains her. 'They love walking the dog and going for family days out - it's all about making memories for him and being the best dad he can be. Adam Collard Opens Up About Laura Woods' Miscarriage and His Troubled Past 'They love going on holiday too - they do everything together unless they're working. 'They don't go out these days as they don't like to leave the baby anyway. 'Adam is a totally different person to his Love Island days! He's got no interest in partying anymore.' Adam, 29, once famous for his "bad boy" image on Love Island and a string of tumultuous relationships, has openly admitted that his life with Laura, 38, is a stark departure from his past. Adam is very sensitive and he's been through some tough times but Laura has brought him back from the brink Source In an interview with London Post, Adam called Laura his "soulmate," and a "real deal" he's been looking for. He has also spoken about the age difference between them, stating that he's always been drawn to a more mature and settled dynamic, which is what he found in Laura. This marks a shift from his previous relationships, many of which were with younger women he met on reality TV. The source continues: 'He loves how successful she is, but he was really captivated by how confident and independent she is. 12 Laura gave birth to their son Leo in January 2025 Credit: Instagram @laurawoodsy 12 Adam Collard proposed to Laura Woods in September 2024 Credit: INSTAGRAM @laurawoodsy 12 Laura took to Instagram to thank Adam for his unwavering support during her pregnancy and her return to work Credit: 'She's very mature and he loves how passionate she is about her work. 'She was the total opposite to the other girls he had been with. She's also incredibly supportive of him.' But their relationship hasn't been without its challenges, both public and private. For Laura, her fame has come with a dark side. In a harrowing ordeal that spanned over two years, a female football fan became obsessed with the presenter, sending her unsolicited gifts and food deliveries to her home, as well as threatening to kidnap and kill her dog. We all joke with him that he's punching but he totally agrees - he knows he is Source The stalker was eventually jailed for 14 months and a restraining order was issued. The chilling threats left Laura in "real fear" and forced her to increase security around her home and workplace. This personal ordeal was followed by another heartbreaking moment. The couple recently revealed they went through a devastating miscarriage at 11 weeks. Adam, in an interview ahead of his appearance on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, candidly admitted he feared the miscarriage was "bad karma" for his past actions as a "love rat". Adam's Instagram posts from late 2024 also hinted at a year of immense personal struggle, including a diagnosis of depression, but he credited his relationship and his son as reasons for hope and positivity. Laura, in turn, has openly praised Adam for being an incredible partner and father. 12 Laura Woods commentating on the Women's euros 2025 12 Adam has often spoken about how Laura is "the one" Credit: 12 Adam has said that their relationship is "just normal" Credit: Instagram The source continues: 'Laura has been his rock as he navigated his battle with depression. 'Adam is very sensitive and he's been through some tough times but Laura has brought him back from the brink. 'I don't think he would mind us saying he absolutely worships her. "Who knows where he would be without her. 'We all joke with him that he's punching but he totally agrees - he knows he is. Laura is way out of his league in the nicest possible way. 'Essentially all Adam actually needed was an older woman who knows who she is, and with an established career. She was his happy place - and he never wanted to see her hurt again Source 'It helped that they started their romance out of the spotlight too - they kept it private for a while and I think that really helped them get to know each other properly without any pressure.' After giving birth to Leo in January 2025, she took to Instagram to thank him for his unwavering support during her pregnancy and her return to work. She said in a post: "I don't always big him up publicly because he knows how I feel about him... But for a moment, I just want to say how proud I am of him. And how my heart bursts watching him be a dad to Leo and how bloody good he is at it." Adam Collard's dating history Laura Woods (2023 - present) Adam and Laura started dating in October 2023. They are engaged and have a son called Leo together. Lottie Moss (2023) Before getting together with Laura, Adam went out with Lottie Moss for two months, after meeting on Celebs Go Dating. Paige Thorne (2022) During his second stint on Love Island in summer 2022, Adam coupled up with Welsh paramedic Paige Thorne. Their relationship continued after the show, but only until that October. Demi Sims (2020) Adam was pictured snogging Towie's Demi on a night out, but it never developed into a fully fledged relationship. Sarah Godfrey (2019 - 2020) Adam dated fitness influencer Sarah Godfrey from September 2019 until January 2020. Zara McDermott (2018 - 2019) His most high profile relationship prior to Laura, Adam coupled up with Zara McDermott on the 2018 series of Love Island. Things appeared serious when they got couple AC and Z tattoos. They dated for eight months before splitting in February 2019. Kendall Rae-Knight & Rosie Williams (2018) Earning his reputation as a playboy, Adam, then 22, was coupled up with Kendall, and then Rosie, before his head turned for Zara when she entered Love Island as a Bombshell. It's clear that Laura has not only been a rock for Adam, but she's also played a role in his personal growth. Adam has often spoken about how Laura is "the one" and that he doesn't have a lot in common with people his own age anymore. 12 The couple together with their son Leo Credit: 12 Adam got down on one knee at five star hotel in Cornwall Credit: Instagram 12 Laura is Adam's "happy place" Credit: He has said that their relationship is "just normal" and that they "balance each other out, in a positive way". Our source says: 'He always wanted marriage and kids but he was never happy enough to settle down. 'Adam always wanted more and more - he was very superficial and nobody was ever good enough. 'As soon as he met Laura all that changed - you could immediately see how happy he was, not only was she his dream woman but she felt the same as he did - she wanted marriage and kids too and they didn't want to waste any more time. 'Adam didn't really talk much about the miscarriage when it happened - he was very private out of respect for Laura, but we knew he was heartbroken, he was withdrawn and so sad. 'He blamed himself and it really broke him for a while seeing Laura suffering - we knew he loved her already, but it was that moment where he knew she was his forever. 'She was his happy place - and he never wanted to see her hurt again. 'It made him determined to give her and himself the happy-ever-after. "She made him want to be the best dad and family man he could be.'
