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Mark Phillips
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Mark Anthony Peter Phillips (born 22 September 1948) is an English Olympic gold medal-winning horseman for Great Britain and the first husband of Anne, Princess Royal, with whom he has two children. He remains a leading figure in British equestrian circles, a noted eventing course designer, and a columnist for Horse & Hound magazine.
Key Information
Family background and early life
[edit]Mark Anthony Peter Phillips was born on 22 September 1948. He is the son of Major Peter William Garside Phillips, MC (1920–1998)[1] and Anne Patricia Phillips (née Tiarks;[2] 1925–1988);[1] they married in 1946. Major Peter Phillips was the younger son of Joseph Herbert Phillips and grandson of William Garside Phillips. Anne Phillips was educated at Downe House and served in the Women's Royal Naval Service during the Second World War.[2] She was the only daughter of John Gerhard Edward Tiarks (1896–1962), who served in the First and Second World Wars, attained the rank of Brigadier, and Evelyn Florence Cripps (1899–1994); John Tiarks also served as aide-de-camp to King George VI from 1947 to 1950. Mark had a younger sister, Sarah Anne Staples (née Phillips; 1951–2014).[3]
Phillips was educated at Stouts Hill Preparatory School near Uley, Gloucestershire, then at Marlborough College, then the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.[4]
Military career
[edit]Upon passing out from Sandhurst, Phillips was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards in July 1969,[5] he was promoted to Lieutenant in January 1971.[6] By the time of his wedding to Princess Anne in November 1973, Phillips was an acting Captain.[7] In January 1974, he was appointed a Personal aide-de-camp to Queen Elizabeth II.[8] Phillips was substantively promoted to captain in July 1975,[9] and retired from the Army on 30 March 1978.[10]
Phillips continued to style himself Captain Mark Phillips,[11] as it is usual for retired cavalry captains to keep using their former rank if their civilian job involves working with horses, in particular in racing or equestrian sports.[12]
Equestrian career
[edit]
Phillips was a reserve member of the British equestrian team for the 1968 Olympics. He was part of the British three-day event teams that won a world title in 1970, a European title in 1971, and Olympic gold medals in 1972; individually, he finished in 35th place in 1972. At the 1988 Olympics, his horse sustained a pulled muscle and could not complete the individual three-day event, but Phillips won a silver medal with the British team. Phillips was a four-time champion at the Badminton Horse Trials, in 1971 and 1972 on Great Ovation, in 1974 on Colombus, and in 1981 on Lincoln. It was through his equestrian activities that he met Princess Anne, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, whom he married. Their own daughter Zara Phillips later won a silver medal in the three-day event with the British team at the 2012 Olympics in London.[4]
In 1998 Phillips designed the cross-country venue for the Red Hills Horse Trials, a qualifying event for the Olympics located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. He is now a regular columnist for Horse & Hound magazine. He also remains a leading figure in British equestrian circles and serves as Chef d'Equipe of the United States Eventing Team.[13][14]
In 2025 Phillips designed the cross-country course for 2025 European Eventing Championships.[15]
Personal life
[edit]Phillips first met his future wife Princess Anne at a party for horse lovers in 1968.[16] They married on 14 November 1973, at Westminster Abbey.[17] They have two children: Peter (born 1977) and Zara (born 1981). The Queen bought Gatcombe Park, near Minchinhampton, for the couple as a wedding present.[18][19]
In August 1989, the Princess Royal and Phillips announced their intention to separate, as the marriage had been under strain for a number of years.[20] The couple had rarely been seen in public together, and both were romantically linked with other people.[21] They continued to share the custody of their children, and initially announced that "there were no plans for divorce."[22][23] Meanwhile, Phillips continued to work at the couple's estate at Gatcombe Park.[22] In 1991, a DNA test confirmed that Phillips had fathered a girl, Felicity Tonkin, born in August 1985 in New Zealand to art teacher Heather Tonkin.[24] Phillips and Princess Anne divorced on 23 April 1992.[25][26]
On 1 February 1997, Phillips married Sandy Pflueger, an American Olympic dressage rider. Their daughter Stephanie was born on 2 October 1997.[26] She grew up at Aston Farm, Gatcombe Park, close to the family of Princess Anne, and served as a bridesmaid at the wedding of her half-sister Zara Tindall. In 2000, Phillips was appointed an Honorary Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Farmers.
On 3 May 2012, it was confirmed by Phillips' solicitors that Phillips and Pflueger had separated, intending to divorce, with Phillips becoming involved with American equestrian Lauren Hough.[27]
Phillips' personal wealth is thought to be around £15–20 million.[28] The settlement he received when his marriage to Princess Anne ended was described as "modest"[28] and reported to be around "$3 million".[29]
On 19 September 2022, Philips was present at the committal service at St George's Chapel for his former mother-in-law Elizabeth II.[30]
Honours and arms
[edit]Military ranks
[edit]
Captain (Retired), late Queen's Dragoon Guards
Honours
[edit]British honours
[edit]
15 August 1974: Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)[31][32]
6 February 1977: Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal[33]
6 February 2002: Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal[34]
6 February 2012: Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal[34]
6 February 2022: Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal[35]
6 May 2023: King Charles III Coronation Medal
Honorary military appointments
[edit]- 1 January 1974: Personal Aide-de-Camp to the Queen (ADC)[8]
Foreign honours
[edit]
Norway: Commander with Star of the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav, 13 April 1988.[33]
Arms
[edit]
|
|
Issue
[edit]- By Princess Anne
| Name | Birth | Marriage | Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Phillips | 15 November 1977 | 17 May 2008 Divorced 14 June 2021[37] |
Autumn Kelly | Savannah Phillips Isla Phillips[38] |
| Zara Phillips | 15 May 1981 | 30 July 2011[39] | Mike Tindall | Mia Tindall Lena Tindall Lucas Tindall[40] |
- By Heather Tonkin
| Name | Birth | Marriage | Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felicity Tonkin | 10 August 1985 | March 2015 | Tristan Wade | James Wade[24] |
- By Sandy Pflueger
| Name | Birth | Marriage | Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephanie Phillips | 2 October 1997 | 8 July 2022[41] | William Hosier | |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Princess Anne Attends Funeral". AP News. 18 September 1998. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ a b Tiarks, Frank. "Tiarks of Foxbury as researched by Charles A. H. Franklyn-". tiarks.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
Educated, Downe House, Newbury, Berks....served in the WRNS...
- ^ "Zara Tindall mourns the sudden death of her aunt Sarah Staples". Hello!. 17 December 2014. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Mark Phillips". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
- ^ "No. 44923". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 August 1969. p. 8768.
- ^ "No. 45287". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 January 1971. p. 912.
- ^ Morgan, Gwen. "A Royal Wedding Album". Chicago Tribune 15 November 1973. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Michael Ramsey, blesses Princess Ann and Capt. Mark Phillips....
- ^ a b "No. 46174". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 January 1974. p. 267.
- ^ "No. 46644". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 July 1975. p. 9641.
- ^ "No. 47508". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 April 1978. p. 4411.
- ^ Mark Phillips Archived 29 March 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Britroyals.com. Retrieved on 8 May 2014.
- ^ Retired and Former Officers, The Army, Armed Forces, Professions, Forms Of Address | Debrett's Archived 27 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Debretts.com. Retrieved on 8 May 2014.
- ^ "Phillips and Ransehousen Named 2011 USEF Coaches of the Year". United States Equestrian Federation. 18 January 2012. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
- ^ "Captain Mark Phillips". United States Eventing Association. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
- ^ FEI site
- ^ Longworth, R. C. (1 September 1989). "Princess Anne To Separate From Husband". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
- ^ "1973: Crowds cheer marriage of Princess Anne". BBC. 14 November 1973. Archived from the original on 7 March 2008. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ^ Glasgow Herald, 24 June 1976, p. 1
- ^ The Australian Women's Weekly, 21 July 1976, p. 4 Archived 2020-10-07 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "But No Divorce Is Planned : Princess Anne, Husband Split". Los Angeles Times. 31 August 1989. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
- ^ Kaufman, Joanne; Cooper, Jonathan (24 April 1989). "A Crisis Rocks a Royal Marriage". People. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
- ^ a b "1989: Royal couple to separate". BBC. 31 August 1989. Archived from the original on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
- ^ Rule, Sheila (1 September 1989). "Princess Anne and Husband Agree to Separate". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Royal scandal: Zara Tindall's 'secret' nephew born in NZ". The New Zealand Herald. 19 August 2017. Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
A DNA test in 1991 confirmed Phillips as her father, paving the way for a reported £350,000 settlement from Phillips, money which helped pay for fees at one of Auckland's finest private schools and some profitable property investments to secure Felicity's future.
- ^ Brozan, Nadine (24 April 1992). "Chronicle". New York Times. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ a b "Princess Anne's ex-husband a father again". Reading Eagle. Reading, PA. 7 October 1997. p. A10. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ Rayner, Gordon (3 May 2012). "Captain Mark Phillips to divorce for second time after falling for 35-year-old Lauren Hough". Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2018 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
- ^ a b William Langley "Captain Mark Phillips: He's found love in the saddle (again)" Archived 16 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine, telegraph.co.uk, 6 May 2013
- ^ "With No Hope for a Happy Ending, Princess Anne Brings Her Storybook Marriage to a Close". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
- ^ Arasteh, Amira (14 September 2022). "Who's invited to the Queen's funeral? The Royals, politicians and world leaders on the guest list". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ "The London Gazette". Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Krebs, Albin (15 August 1974). "Notes on People". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- ^ a b "Anne Mark Guildhall". Getty Images. February 2005. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
- ^ a b Medal Yearbook 2021. Honiton, Devon: Token Publishing. 2021. p. 295. ISBN 978-1-908828-53-8.
- ^ "Platinum Jubilee Medal revealed". Gov.uk. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ a b "News & Views". The Heraldry Gazette (57): 17. March 1974.
- ^ Gallagher, Sophie (14 June 2021). "Divorce settled for Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips and Autumn Phillips". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ "Queen a great-grandmother again". ITV News. 30 March 2012. Archived from the original on 25 April 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
- ^ "Zara Phillips wedding: Ceremony at Edinburgh church". BBC News. 30 July 2011. Archived from the original on 25 December 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
- ^ "Zara Tindall and husband Mike confirm birth of baby boy - a new great-grandson for the Queen". Sky News. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- ^ Cope, Rebecca (11 July 2022). "Princess Anne attends the wedding of her ex-husband's daughter, Stephanie Phillips". Tatler. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mark Phillips.
- Mark Phillips (and here) at FEI
- Mark Phillips at Olympics.com
- Mark Phillips at Olympedia
- Portraits of Mark Phillips at the National Portrait Gallery, London
- Mark Phillips at IMDb
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
Mark Phillips
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Early Life and Education
Family Background
Mark Anthony Peter Phillips was born on 22 September 1948 in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England, into a family with military traditions and equestrian inclinations rooted in the rural West Country.[6] [7] His father, Major Peter William Garside Phillips (1920–1998), served in the British Army during World War II and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry.[6] [8] The senior Phillips, a career officer, provided a disciplined household environment that emphasized physical fitness and outdoor activities, including horsemanship, common among Gloucestershire's landed and military families.[6] His mother, Anne Patricia Phillips (née Tiarks; 1925–1988), came from a prosperous banking lineage; her father, Frank Cyril Tiarks, had been a director at the Bank of England and served as an aide-de-camp to King George V.[9] The Tiarks family, of German-British origin, maintained estates in the area that supported rural pursuits like hunting and riding, influencing Phillips' early exposure to horses.[9] Phillips had a younger sister, Sarah, and the siblings were raised in a stable, affluent setting that afforded access to private education and sporting opportunities from a young age.[10] This background, combining military rigor with equestrian heritage, laid the foundation for Phillips' later achievements in eventing.[6]Formal Education and Early Influences
Mark Phillips received his early education at Stouts Hill Preparatory School near Uley, Gloucestershire.[9] He subsequently attended Marlborough College, a leading independent boarding school in Wiltshire, England, known for its emphasis on character development and extracurricular activities including equestrian pursuits.[11] Following Marlborough, Phillips enrolled at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1967, completing his officer training there before being commissioned into the British Army.[3] Phillips' early influences were shaped by his family's military heritage and rural Gloucestershire upbringing, with his father, Major Peter Phillips, serving as a cavalry officer whose career exemplified disciplined horsemanship and service.[9] His introduction to competitive equestrianism occurred through the Beaufort Hunt Pony Club, where he rode alongside peers such as Mike Tucker and trained under Olympic gold medalist Colonel Frank Weldon, fostering foundational skills in eventing from adolescence.[1] These experiences, combined with local access to events like the Badminton Horse Trials, directed Phillips toward a lifelong commitment to three-day eventing, blending military precision with equine athleticism.[12]Military Service
Enlistment and Training
After completing his education at Marlborough College, Mark Phillips entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to undergo officer training.[3] Sandhurst's program, lasting approximately 44 weeks, prepared cadets for leadership roles through rigorous instruction in military tactics, physical fitness, and command principles.[13] Upon passing out from Sandhurst, Phillips was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, an armored reconnaissance regiment, in July 1969.[1] This commissioning marked the completion of his initial training phase and the start of his regimental service, where he would receive specialized instruction in cavalry operations, including vehicle handling and reconnaissance techniques suited to the unit's role.[7] The Queen's Dragoon Guards, formed in 1958 from historic dragoon regiments, emphasized mechanized warfare while retaining equestrian traditions that aligned with Phillips' personal interests in horse riding.[1]Active Duty and Deployments
Upon commissioning into the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards as a second lieutenant in 1969, Phillips undertook active duty service with the regiment, which involved standard cavalry operations and training postings typical for British Army officers of the era.[14] His early service included routine regimental duties, balancing military responsibilities with his concurrent equestrian competitions, for which he had been selected as a reserve for the 1968 Olympics prior to joining.[3] By early 1973, ahead of his engagement to Princess Anne, Phillips had been appointed an acting captain and infantry instructor at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, a role that kept him in a domestic training capacity.[15] This assignment effectively exempted him from his regiment's potential rotation to Northern Ireland amid the escalating Troubles, as contemporary reports noted the Dragoons' impending deployment but Phillips's unlikelihood of accompanying them due to his instructional posting.[11] No records indicate participation in overseas combat operations or other high-risk deployments during his tenure, consistent with the protective arrangements often afforded to officers in prominent personal circumstances.[15] Phillips received substantive promotion to captain in 1975 while continuing at Sandhurst and with the regiment.[14] He remained on active duty until resigning his commission on 30 March 1978, citing a desire to prioritize family and equestrian pursuits amid growing commitments.[16] His nine years of service were marked by administrative and instructional roles rather than frontline engagements, reflecting the peacetime structure of British cavalry units in the 1970s absent major conflicts.[14]Retirement from the Military
Phillips was substantively promoted to the rank of captain in the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards in July 1975.[13][9] He retired from active service in the British Army on 30 March 1978, after approximately 14 years of commissioned duty, transitioning to full-time pursuits in international equestrian eventing.[13][9][10] Following retirement, he retained the courtesy title of Captain Mark Phillips, a standard practice for former officers of that rank in the British Army.[13][10] This departure aligned with his established prominence in three-day eventing, including Olympic team gold in 1972, allowing undivided focus on competitive and coaching roles thereafter.[9]Equestrian Career
Early Competitions and Rise
Mark Phillips initiated his eventing pursuits in the Beaufort Hunt Pony Club, training under Olympic gold medalist Colonel Frank Weldon alongside rider Mike Tucker.[4] Selected as a reserve for the British equestrian team at the 1968 Summer Olympics, he gained initial international exposure without competing.[3] Phillips' ascent accelerated in 1970 with his contribution to Great Britain's team gold medal at the Eventing World Championships held at Burghley Horse Trials.[1] The following year, 1971, marked his first individual triumph at the Badminton Horse Trials, riding Great Ovation, complemented by another team gold at the European Championships.[1][3] In 1972, Phillips defended his Badminton title on Great Ovation and rode to team gold at the Munich Olympics, finishing 35th individually, solidifying his status among elite eventers.[1][3] He extended this momentum with a victory at the 1973 Burghley Horse Trials and a third Badminton win in 1974 aboard Columbus.[1] These consecutive successes in premier three-day events propelled Phillips to prominence in international eventing during the early 1970s.[1]Olympic and Major Victories
Captain Mark Phillips represented Great Britain in equestrian eventing at the Olympic Games, achieving team success in multiple editions. At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Phillips rode Great Ovation as part of the British team that secured the gold medal in the three-day event, marking the nation's first Olympic victory in the discipline.[2][1] He contributed to the team's triumph despite individual challenges, with the British squad outperforming competitors through combined dressage, cross-country, and show jumping performances.[17] Phillips returned to Olympic competition in 1988 at the Seoul Games, where he rode Durlas Eile to help earn a team silver medal for Great Britain, finishing behind the dominant West German squad.[17][1] This achievement underscored his enduring role in international team eventing, though he did not medal individually in either Olympics.[18] Beyond the Olympics, Phillips amassed major victories in prestigious eventing competitions. He won the Badminton Horse Trials, one of the world's premier three-day events, four times: in 1971 and 1972 aboard Great Ovation, 1974 with Columbus, and 1981 on Lincoln.[1] Additionally, he claimed the Burghley Horse Trials title in 1973, further solidifying his reputation as a top competitor in the sport.[1] These successes complemented his team contributions to a world championship gold in 1970 and a European championship gold in 1971.[1]Post-Competitive Roles in Eventing
Following his retirement from competitive riding after the 1988 Summer Olympics, Phillips pursued roles in coaching and cross-country course design within eventing. He served as chef d'équipe and technical advisor for the United States Eventing Team from 1993 until stepping down after the 2012 London Olympics, during which time the team achieved team silver and individual bronze medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, team bronze and individual gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and team silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics.[19][20][21] In this capacity, Phillips emphasized analytical coaching methods, prioritizing rider decision-making, cross-country pace management, and technical proficiency over rote instruction, which contributed to developing riders such as David O'Connor and Phillip Dutton.[22] He continued private coaching for international riders post-2012, maintaining influence in the discipline through individualized training focused on eventing fundamentals.[17] Parallel to coaching, Phillips established a prominent career in cross-country course design, creating tracks for events including the Burghley Horse Trials from 1994 to 2020, where he innovated with combinations testing accuracy and bravery while adhering to safety standards evolving under FEI regulations.[4][23] He later designed courses for the 2025 FEI Eventing European Championships at Blenheim Palace, incorporating terrain challenges suited to elite competition levels.[24] These designs balanced spectacle with risk mitigation, reflecting Phillips' experience from four Badminton Horse Trials victories as a rider.[25]Personal Relationships and Family
Marriage to Princess Anne
Mark Phillips met Princess Anne in 1968 at a party for equestrian enthusiasts during an event in Mexico City, where both were involved in competitive horse riding.[13][26] Their mutual passion for eventing and shared participation in Britain's Olympic equestrian team in 1972 deepened their relationship over the subsequent years.[27] The couple's engagement was announced on 29 May 1973, following Phillips' proposal with an antique sapphire ring flanked by diamonds.[28] They wed on 14 November 1973 at Westminster Abbey in London, in a ceremony officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey, and attended by over 2,000 guests including most European royalty.[29][30] The event, the first major royal wedding televised in color, drew an estimated global audience of 500 million viewers.[31] Phillips, then a captain in the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, wore his regimental uniform, while Anne processed in a gown designed by Maureen Baker with a Tudor-style high neck and floral embroidery symbolizing spring.[32][33] Following the wedding, the couple honeymooned in Mexico and the Bahamas before settling into married life, with Phillips continuing his military service and equestrian pursuits alongside Anne's royal duties.[34] Their union represented a modern approach for the royal family, emphasizing compatibility in interests over traditional aristocratic lineage.[35]Infidelities and Divorce Proceedings
Phillips' marriage to Princess Anne faced mounting strain from mutual reports of extramarital affairs throughout the 1980s.[13][36] Phillips, in particular, conducted a brief affair with New Zealand equestrian and art teacher Heather Tonkin during a visit in 1984, resulting in the birth of their daughter, Felicity Tonkin, on August 31, 1985.[37][38] The relationship's existence remained concealed for years, with Phillips providing private financial support to Tonkin and the child, but paternity was publicly confirmed via DNA testing in 1991 after Tonkin sought formal acknowledgment and increased maintenance.[37][26] These revelations exacerbated preexisting marital discord, though the couple had already ceased cohabiting. Phillips and Anne formally separated on August 31, 1989, following years of incompatibility and infidelity allegations on both sides.[36][13] Post-separation, Phillips relocated to the United States and began a relationship with American equestrian Sandy Pflueger, who was 28 years his junior; the pair later married in 1997.[13] Anne initiated divorce proceedings on April 13, 1992, citing irreconcilable differences, with the decree nisi granted shortly thereafter and the divorce finalized on April 23, 1992, after an 18-year marriage.[39][40] The proceedings were handled discreetly, reflecting the royal family's preference for privacy amid public scrutiny, and resulted in joint custody arrangements for their two children, Peter and Zara Phillips.[40]Later Marriages and Partnerships
Following his divorce from Princess Anne, Phillips married Sandy Pflueger, an American equestrian who had represented the United States in dressage at the 1984 Summer Olympics, on February 1, 1997.[41][42] The couple resided primarily in the United States and had one daughter together, Stephanie, born in 1997.[43][44] In May 2012, Phillips, then aged 63, separated from Pflueger, aged 58, after becoming involved with Lauren Hough, a 35-year-old American show jumper and member of the United States Equestrian Team.[41][45] Phillips and Hough, who is 28 years his junior, subsequently set up home together while continuing their professional roles in equestrian coaching.[43][46] The divorce from Pflueger was initiated around this time, though the finalization date has not been publicly detailed.[42] As of 2012, Phillips and Hough maintained a relationship centered on their shared equestrian interests, with no subsequent marriage reported.[41][44] Phillips continued coaching duties, including for the U.S. eventing team, alongside Hough, who served in a similar capacity.[46]Children and Descendants
With Princess Anne
Mark Phillips and Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, married on 14 November 1973 and had two children together: Peter Mark Andrew Phillips, born at St Mary's Hospital, London, on 15 November 1977, and Zara Anne Elizabeth Phillips (later Tindall), born on 15 May 1981.[47][48] Both children were raised at Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire, without hereditary titles, as Anne declined an earldom for Phillips upon their marriage, forgoing the customary peerage that would have extended titles to their offspring.[49] Peter Phillips pursued a career in business and motorsport, holding roles such as sponsorship executive at Williams Formula One and account manager at Royal Bank of Scotland in Hong Kong, before founding his own sports management and consultancy firm.[50] He married Canadian Autumn Kelly on 17 May 2008 in St George's Chapel, Windsor; the couple had daughters Savannah Elizabeth (born 29 December 2010) and Isla Elizabeth (born 29 March 2012) before separating in 2019 and finalizing their divorce in 2021, with joint custody of the children.[51] Phillips' daughters, who hold no royal titles or styles, reside primarily in Gloucestershire and have appeared at public events such as Trooping the Colour.[52] Zara Tindall followed her parents into equestrianism, qualifying as an equine physiotherapist after studying at the University of Exeter and achieving prominence in eventing, including a team silver medal for Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.[53][54] She married former England rugby player Mike Tindall on 30 July 2011 at Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh, and they have three children: Mia Grace Tindall (born 17 January 2014), Lena Elizabeth Tindall (born 18 June 2018), and Lucas Philip Tindall (born 21 March 2021).[55] The family lives on the Gatcombe Park estate, where Zara balances professional riding commitments—such as competing in events like Badminton Horse Trials—with motherhood, having returned to competition shortly after each birth.[56] Like her brother's children, Zara's offspring lack royal titles and participate in family-oriented public appearances rather than formal duties.[57]Out-of-Wedlock Child
Mark Phillips had a brief affair with New Zealand art teacher Heather Tonkin in 1984, while married to Princess Anne.[58] [38] The encounter resulted in the birth of their daughter, Felicity Tonkin, in August 1985 in Auckland, New Zealand.[59] [60] Phillips initially denied paternity, but provided financial support to Tonkin and her daughter for several years, disguising payments as fees for "equestrian consultancy."[61] In 1991, following Tonkin's public disclosure and a court-ordered DNA test, Phillips was confirmed as Felicity's biological father.[58] [59] [62] The revelation of Felicity's existence heightened public scrutiny of Phillips' marriage to Anne, though the couple had separated in 1989 and divorced in 1992.[63] Phillips has had no public involvement in Felicity's upbringing, and she has maintained a private life, reportedly working in equestrian-related fields in New Zealand and Australia without contact from her half-siblings, Peter and Zara Phillips.[61] [59]With Subsequent Partners
Mark Phillips and his second wife, Sandy Pflueger, an American equestrian who competed in dressage at the 1984 Olympics, had one daughter together, Stephanie Phillips, born in 1997.[13][64] The couple married on February 1, 1997, and separated in 2012, though they maintained involvement in equestrian activities.[42] Stephanie grew up on the Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire, where her father resided post-divorce from Princess Anne, and developed an interest in eventing, following her parents' professional paths.[64] On July 9, 2022, Stephanie married fellow event rider William Hosier at St. Mary the Virgin Church in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, in a ceremony attended by extended family including Princess Anne and her half-siblings Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall.[64][65] As of 2025, the couple has no reported children, and Stephanie continues to compete in equestrian events.[66] No other children are documented from Phillips' relationship with Pflueger or subsequent partners, including his later association with equestrian Lauren Hough beginning around 2012.[41]Honours, Declinations, and Legacy
Military and Equestrian Awards
Mark Phillips was commissioned as a lieutenant in the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards in 1969 following graduation from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, advancing to the rank of captain before retiring from active service.[3][1] His military tenure included roles such as Aide-de-Camp (Personal) to Queen Elizabeth II, though no specific gallantry or campaign decorations are documented in public records beyond standard service entitlements like jubilee medals awarded to eligible former officers.[1] In equestrian eventing, Phillips achieved prominence as a competitor for Great Britain, securing multiple team gold medals in major international competitions. He contributed to the British team's victory at the 1970 World Eventing Championships.[1] The following year, in 1971, he rode on the gold-medal-winning team at the European Eventing Championships.[67] His career highlight came at the 1972 Munich Olympics, where the British team, including Phillips aboard Great Ovation, clinched the gold medal in team eventing.[2][4] Phillips later earned a team silver medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.[17] Individually, Phillips won the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials four times: in 1971 on Let's Fly, 1972 on Great Ovation, 1974 on Colombo, and 1981 on Lincoln.[1] He also claimed victory at the Burghley Horse Trials in 1973.[5]| Competition | Year | Achievement | Discipline |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Eventing Championships | 1970 | Team Gold | Eventing |
| European Eventing Championships | 1971 | Team Gold | Eventing |
| Olympic Games | 1972 | Team Gold | Eventing |
| Badminton Horse Trials | 1971, 1972, 1974, 1981 | Individual Wins (x4) | Three-Day Event |
| Burghley Horse Trials | 1973 | Individual Win | Three-Day Event |
| Olympic Games | 1988 | Team Silver | Eventing |