Princess Anne’s Ex-Husband Mark Phillips Makes Rare Public Appearance with Rumored Girlfriend at Son’s Wedding
Captain Mark Phillips made a rare public appearance on Saturday to attend the wedding of his son, Peter Phillips, to NHS nurse Harriet Sperling at All Saints’ Church in Kemble, near Cirencester. The 77-year-old former husband of Princess Anne was seen outside the church as the family gathered to celebrate Peter’s second marriage. Although they were not photographed together, Phillips was reportedly accompanied by his rumoured girlfriend, Belgian equestrian Florence Standaert, according to Tatler. The pair have never publicly confirmed a relationship, but they have been seen together at major equestrian events for several years, and the wedding is believed to be their most high-profile joint appearance so far.
Phillips was married to Princess Anne from 1973 to 1992, and the former couple shares two children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall. Despite their divorce, they are thought to remain on good terms and are often seen at horse-related events. Their marriage ended after years of public speculation about affairs on both sides, although the couple separated in 1989 and did not officially divorce until 1992. At the time, Buckingham Palace said they had agreed to separate and that there were no immediate plans for divorce proceedings. Phillips later continued living at Gatcombe Park, the Gloucestershire estate associated with Princess Anne, for 21 years after their separation.
Mark Phillips has long been connected to the equestrian world. He was a member of the British eventing team that won gold at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games and has remained active in horse sports ever since. His reported partner Florence Standaert is also an experienced equestrian. She was previously in a relationship with Thomas Ryckewaert, who ran the Waregem horse trials in Belgium until his death in 2019. The two may have met around 2020, when Phillips was tasked with designing a cross-country course at Waregem, an event associated with Standaert.
In addition to Peter and Zara, Phillips has two other children. He shares daughter Felicity Tonkin, born in August 1985, with New Zealand art teacher Heather Tonkin, and he has another daughter, Stephanie Phillips, from his second marriage to Sandy Pflueger.
Princess Anne also attended Saturday’s wedding, arriving with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. The Princess Royal, 75, was seen in a bright yellow outfit with a matching hat and ribbon and appeared to be in good spirits as she joined the family celebration. The appearance brought together several members of the extended family for a significant private occasion, while also drawing attention to the continuing cordial ties between Anne and Phillips more than three decades after their separation.
