Among the younger generation of royals, Isla Phillips remains somewhat of a mystery, largely shielded from public view by her careful parents. However, this 13-year-old, daughter of Peter Phillips, bears an uncanny resemblance to her aunt, Zara Tindall. As the monarchy continues to evolve, Isla may soon capture the public’s attention as a prominent figure of her generation.

Royal enthusiasts recently got a rare opportunity to see Isla when she welcomed the New Year at the Cheltenham races alongside several family members. Peter Phillips, sharing parenthood with his former partner Autumn Kelly, brought Isla and her 15-year-old sister, Savannah, to the event. They were accompanied by Peter’s fiancée, Harriet Sperling. Also present were Zara and Mike Tindall, along with their children: Mia, aged 11, Lena, aged seven, and Lucas, aged four.

Photos caught Isla wrapped in a cozy checkered scarf, her long blonde hair styled into neat braids, as she enjoyed the races with her family from the stands. The resemblance between Isla and her aunt Zara, now 44, was striking, almost like seeing a mirror image.

Both Isla and Zara share similar features, from their beautiful light hair to their striking blue eyes, a likeness that has been evident since childhood. Their shared facial features and charming smiles further highlight the familial bond, making Isla a captivating figure to watch as she steps into the public eye.

Striking photos showed Isla huddled in a checkered warm scarf with her long blonde hair braided into plaits as she watched on from the stands with her family. For many onlookers, it was like seeing double – with Isla the spitting image of her aunt Zara, 44. 

From their gorgeous light hair to their piercing blue eyes, their likeness goes back as far as childhood, with the pair sharing similar facial features and adorable smile. 

Acknowledging the similarities between Isla and her aunt, and even a resemblance with her 75-year-old grandmother Anne, one royal fan commented: ‘Isla reminds me of a young Princess Anne. She also resembles her Aunt Zara’.

Meanwhile, another observer added: ‘Beautiful children, Isla looks like Auntie Zara!’ 

Seeing double! At Cheltenham Races on New Year’s Day, 13-year-old Isla Phillips (left), youngest daughter of Peter Phillips, was the spitting image of her aunt, Zara Tindall (right, pictured in 2003)

Royal fans caught a rare glimpse of Isla, whom Peter shares with his ex-partner Autumn Kelly, at the races, with observers describing her as Zara and Anne’s lookalike

From their gorgeous light hair to their piercing blue eyes, similarities go back as far as childhood, with Isla (left) and Zara sharing (right) similar akin facial features and an adorable bright smile

The acute resemblance between Zara (right) and Isla (left) has been noted by royal onlookers, who even compared the young royal to Princess Anne

Isla was born at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on March 29 2012, weighing 7lbs 4oz. A statement released by the Palace at the time expressed how the entire Royal Family were ‘delighted’ by the arrival of a second great-grandchild for Elizabeth and Philip.

Given the adorable young royal was born during the Queen’s milestone Jubilee year it seems somewhat unsurprising that her second name is Elizabeth – a fitting tribute to her beloved great-grandmother. 

She is 20th in line to the throne and, as a result, has been able to enjoy being a member of the extended royal family without managing the pressures of royal duties. 

Like her aunt Zara, Isla also does not not have a royal title due to her grandmother, The Princess Royal’s decision to deny the late Queen’s request for her two children to be bestowed with a HRH title.

Living on Anne’s 700-acre Gatcombe Park Estate, Isla and Savannah are in close proximity to their Tindall cousins, and the two sisters are said to have developed a particularly close bond with Zara’s eldest daughter, Mia. 

Indicative of their close bond, at the Cheltenham races, Isla and Mia were pictured sharing a laugh together in the stands, as the cousins observed the equestrian action on the first day of 2026. 

The trio have also often been pictured causing a degree of mischief and mayhem to royal engagements. 

At Trooping The Colour in 2018, Savannah’s antics stole the show when she humorously shushed her cousin Prince George while on Buckingham Palace balcony during the fly-past.

Zara (right, pictured aged two) and Isla (left, also pictured age two) are believed to share an incredibly close bond, particularly given the aunt and niece live nearby to each other

Like Zara, Isla has been able to live a relatively normal childhood as she does not have a royal HRH title following Princess Anne’s decision to deny the late Queen’s request for her two children to be bestowed with a HRH title

Images of a young Zara (right) at the same age Isla (left) is now show their incredible alikeness – with 13-year-old Zara captured as a bridesmaid at Lady Sarah Chatto (nee Armstrong-jones) and Daniel Chatto’s wedding in July 1994

Royal onlookers have noted the incredible similarities between Isla and Zara

The rare glimpse of Isla wowed fans who were amazed at how much Isla ‘looks like Auntie Zara’ 

Alongside her striking resemblance to Zara, Isla has also been previously noted for her similarity to her great -grandfather, Prince Philip, particularly at King Charles’s coronation concert in 2023. 

At the time, one royal observer highlighted the likeness between Isla and her great-grandfather in an Instagram post that read: ‘Isla Phillips (Peter Phillips’ daughter) and Prince Philip (her great-grandfather). I can definitely see a resemblance.’

Fellow royal fans agreed with the comparison, with one person writing at the time: ‘Yes agree, the cheekbones the nose and the mouth.’

‘Wow, those genetics from her great-grandfather,’ another said.

While the pair are growing up out of the spotlight, Isla and Savannah are recognisable from their increased attendance at milestone royal events such as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Isla was also present for the late Queen’s historic funeral in September that year, dressed in a riding crop and stirrup brooch in a subtle tribute to Her Majesty’s love of riding. 

Her parents, Peter and Autumn, wed in 2008 in a fairytale ceremony at Windsor Castle after meeting five years earlier at the Montreal Grand Prix.

However, the couple separated in 2020 on amicable terms, declaring at the time that the decision to go their separate ways was ‘the best course of action for their two children and ongoing friendship’.