Mark Phillips: A Military Background and Olympic Success
Mark Phillips, born in 1948, comes from a long line of military personnel. He attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served in the Army as a Second Lieutenant. Alongside his military career, Phillips became a champion equestrian, winning Olympic gold medals in 1972 and a silver medal in 1988.
A Royal Match: How Mark Phillips and Princess Anne Met
Mark Phillips and Princess Anne met through the equestrian circuit and began dating after being introduced at an event in Mexico City. They got engaged in May 1973 and married that November at Westminster Abbey.
Children and Divorce
During their marriage, Princess Anne and Mark Phillips had two children - Peter and Zara. However, the couple faced marital problems and rumors of extramarital affairs. The strain on their relationship became public when Phillips fathered a love child in 1985. Princess Anne and Phillips separated in 1989 and divorced in 1992.
Mark Phillips's Remarriage and Current Relationship
After divorcing Princess Anne, Mark Phillips married fellow equestrian Sandy Pflueger in 1997. They had a daughter named Stephanie, but divorced after fifteen years due to Phillips's infidelity. Phillips then became involved with Lauren Hough, a rider 30 years his junior. Currently, he is in a relationship with Belgian equestrian Florence Standaert.
Current Living Arrangements
Following his divorce from Princess Anne, Mark Phillips lived at Aston Farm with his second wife before eventually moving to the United States.
