This Royal "Nicely Bridges the Gap" Between the Generations and Could "Play a Greater Role," Says Royal Expert
Body language analyst Darren Stanton says one aspect of this family member's personality "speaks volumes."
Princess Anne’s only son, Peter Phillips, is marking his 49th birthday on Sunday, November 15, and this year, he’s had plenty to celebrate. Phillips married his second wife, Harriet Sperling, on June 6, welcoming a new 14-year-old stepdaughter, Georgina Sperling, to the Royal Family. While Peter isn’t a full-time working royal and like his sister, Zara Tindall, doesn’t hold a title, he’s an integral part of family gatherings and has been thrust further into the spotlight thanks to his royal wedding this summer.
Speaking to Betfair Casino, body language expert Darren Stanton shares that Peter is a widely popular member of the Windsor family. “He seems to have particularly strong relationships with both the younger generation and senior royals, and I think that speaks volumes about his position within the family,” Stanton says. “I think he nicely bridges the gap between the different generations.”
Phillips is often seen laughing with his uncle, King Charles, at events like Royal Ascot, and The King and Queen went out of their way to attend Peter and Harriet’s church ceremony despite the couple already having a scheduled appearance at the Epsom Derby on the same day.
Peter Phillips poses with his wife, Harriet Sperling, and their blended family of daughters on their June 6, 2026 wedding day.
The newlyweds greet King Charles and Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot shortly after their wedding.
Speaking of Peter's relationship with The King, Stanton says the two share a "mischievous side."
"Charles always seems to be joking around when in Peter’s company," Stanton says. "He shows broad grins with his eyes and cheeks engaged. He also regularly turns himself towards Peter in group settings, suggesting a strong rapport between the two of them."
Peter's mother, Princess Anne, is known as one of the hardest-working members of the Royal Family, and also has a famously no-nonsense personality. "His mother famously doesn’t suffer fools gladly, even if they are members of her family, but Peter brings out a very different side to her," Stanton says of the Princess Royal. "She's laughing and joking, displaying a constant genuine smile of enjoyment."
Peter and Harriet Phillips pose at an event at Somerset House in September.
A young Peter and Prince Harry are pictured on Christmas Day 2005.
While there's no expectation that Peter will ever take on any kind of formal role, there's an opportunity for Prince William's cousins to support him in other ways when he eventually takes the throne.
"As time goes on, and particularly when William eventually becomes King, there's the potential for Peter and other members of the extended family to be asked to undertake more public engagements or play a greater role in certain events," Stanton says. "Given his natural consistency, I think he'd be a very comfortable fit in that kind of position."
