The stereotype of the overbearing and hard-to-please mother-in-law doesn’t seem to apply to Princess Anne.  

For the mother of Peter Phillips was recently spotted smiling and chatting with her son’s ex-wife, Autumn Phillips, and previously lived on her estate – though she has not lived there for several years.

Peter and Canadian-born Autumn announced they were separating in 2020, with the divorce being finalised in 2021 after 12 years of marriage. They have two daughters, Savannah, 14, and Isla, 13.

Autumn reportedly still has a good relationship with the Royal Family and earlier this year she was spotted attending the Cirencester Park Horse Trials with her former mother-in-law to support Zara Tindall, Peter’s sister.

The mother of two, dressed in a denim jacket and an orange patterned skirt, was seen cheering Zara on from the sidelines alongside the Princess Royal.   

‘It was just nice and relaxed,’ royal photographer James Whatling told HELLO! magazine.

‘Zara had a group of pals and grooms with her. Autumn was there, which was nice to see. She’s obviously still part of the family and was chatting to Anne and everyone else.

‘She’s certainly not been ostracised in any way, and it was a nice little support team for Zara.’  

There was speculation that Autumn would return to Canada after the divorce, but her family confirmed she would not be relocating.

Anne’s 730-acre Cotswolds estate, where Autumn previously lived, is also home to Zara, Peter and their respective families. 

But the Princess Royal has remained quiet about the future of the Gatcombe Park estate, which was a gift from the late Queen, after expressing her ‘worries’ about supporting it financially.

She pulled the plug on the annual Festival of British Eventing two years ago, citing increased costs. It was a decision that left her ‘devastated’, said a source.

The Princess Royal’s children have enjoyed a more low-key life than cousins Prince William and Prince Harry due to her decision not to give them royal titles. 

After graduating from the University of Exeter with a degree in sports science, Peter worked for Jaguar as a corporate hospitality manager before taking a position at the Williams Grand Prix Engineering team.

It was on a business trip at the 2003 Montreal Grand Prix where he met Autumn, a former personal assistant.   

Not realising he was the Queen’s grandson, they began a relationship and a few years later Peter popped the question. 

Autumn was born a Roman Catholic but renounced her faith shortly before their wedding so her husband-to-be did not have to give up his claim to the throne.

The couple tied the knot at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on May 17, 2008, in front of 300 guests, including the late Queen, Princess Anne and Prince Harry.

Autumn wore a gown by Sassi Holford and the Festoon Tiara, which was lent to the bride by Princess Anne. The tiara was given to Anne in 1973, the same year she married Captain Mark Phillips, her first husband. 

It was a gift from a shipping company given in return for her christening one of its vessels.

She finished her look with a necklace and earrings gifted to her by her husband.

Among her six bridesmaids was her new sister-in-law, Zara. The women formed a close relationship.

Peter and Autumn sold their wedding photos to Hello! magazine in May 2008 for a reported £500,000, with some critics accusing them of exploiting their royal status.

Photos of the couple on honeymoon on safari in South Africa were also released to the press, prompting speculation they had received the £1,000-a-night accommodation free of charge – or at least at a knockdown rate – in return for giving it publicity.

They began living apart in 2019 and announced in February 2020 that they were planning to divorce after 12 years of marriage.

When Autumn and Peter announced their divorce in 2021 they released a statement which read: ‘Peter Phillips and Autumn Phillips are pleased to be able to report that the financial aspects of their divorce have been resolved through agreement, the terms of which have been approved and ordered by the High Court today.

‘Whilst this is a sad day for Peter and Autumn, they continue to put the wellbeing of their wonderful daughters Savannah and Isla first and foremost.

‘Both Peter and Autumn are pleased to have resolved matters amicably with the children firmly at the forefront of those thoughts and decisions.

‘Peter and Autumn have requested privacy and consideration for their children as the family adapts to a new chapter in their lives.’

The breakdown of Autumn and Peter’s marriage was particularly painful for the late Queen, who enjoyed a close relationship with her grandson’s wife.

An unnamed friend of the couple told The Sun: ‘Autumn is a favourite of the Queen and I’m sure Her Majesty will be very upset by this as well.’

Autumn is now said to be dating Irish construction company boss Donal Mulryan, who says he is behind more than £5billion of property schemes,  The Mail On Sunday reported.

The couple, who have been dating since 2021, were photographed with Savannah and Isla on a Mother’s Day outing to the Cirencester Park Horse Trials in 2022.

Mr Mulryan is friends with Prince Albert of Monaco, having lived in the principality with his socialite wife Louise before they split several years ago.

He has known Autumn for more than 15 years, and their relationship was first reported in July 2021.

A close friend of Autumn confirmed the relationship at the time, saying: ‘They are both single people. Donal has been separated from his wife for two years and is in the process of divorce.’

After the divorce Peter began dating Lindsay Wallace in 2021 but they separated in 2024.

He is currently dating Harriet Sperling, a paediatric nurse, and they were seen together at the Badminton Horse Trials in May 2024.

In the four years since their divorce Autumn and Peter have remained on good terms, navigated co-parenting their girls and found love with other people.