THE Queen’s grandson and his estranged wife are set for a court showdown as they try to reach a divorce settlement.
Peter and Autumn Philips, who have two daughters, announced in February 2020 that they were splitting after 12 years of marriage.
The Telegraph reports that a High Court judge will next week hear from lawyers for each party as they seek to separate their finances and agree a settlement.
The pre-trial review hearing will be heard remotely before Mr Justice Peel in the Family Division, Gloucestershire Live reports.
Mr Phillips has retained Nicholas Yates QC, a leading divorce lawyer whose online profile says he “leads negotiations in high-value postnuptial agreements”.
He represented businessman Simrin Choudhrie last year, who sought £100million from Bhanu Choudhrie, an heir of one of India’s richest families, who appeared on the Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire.
Mr Phillips has applied for reporting restrictions barring the disclosure of financial and other personal details.
A statement issued on their behalf, at the time of the divorce announcement, read: “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.
“The couple’s first priority will remain the continued well being and upbringing of their wonderful daughters Savannah (nine) and Isla (seven).
“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.”
The couple are in the process of divorcing, and Phillip will be the first of the Queen’s grandchildren to legally split.
They wed at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in 2008, and decided to split last year.
Her Majesty was believed to be “upset” after Autumn, 41, told Princess Anne’s son, 42, she wants to end 12 years of marriage.
