THE Queens favourite grandson Peter Phillips is to separate from his wife Autumn, HOAR can reveal.
Her Majesty is believed to be upset after Autumn, 41, told Princess Annes son, 42, she wants to split after 12 years of marriage.
The Queen, Autumn Philips and Peter Phillips at Ascot in 2018
A pal said: He is devastated.
It comes amid fears that the mum of two wants to follow Harry and Meghan to her native Canada.
Close friends are suggesting that Megxit Prince Harry and Meghans departure from the UK to Canada could have hastened Autumns shock decision.
Sports marketing consultant Peter, 42, and Autumn, 41, who is a management consultant, have two children Savannah, nine and Isla, seven.
It is believed the daughters have dual Canadian citizenship which means they could easily live in Canada if Autumn were to return there.
One pal revealed: Peter is absolutely devastated by this and just didnt see it coming.
He thought he was happily married and had the perfect family with two lovely daughters. But he is now in total shock.
Autumn is a wonderful wife and mother and a very intelligent woman but shes been telling her friends for some time that there were issues.
She is a favourite of the Queen and Im sure Her Majesty will be very upset by this as well.
Its the last thing she needs after all her recent troubles and you get the feeling that the royal family is falling apart a little bit.
‘ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED’
Autumn is close to the Queen and was seen travelling with her to church on September 29.
Our revelation comes just two weeks after Peter sparked international controversy for advertising milk in China while being promoted as a British royal.
Those close the couple have expressed concern that Autumn might want to start a new life in Canada, just like the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have decided.
A friend said: What worries some of us is that Autumn may want to go back to Canada.
Maybe she has been influenced by Harry and Meghans departure. Perhaps she thought if that can happen then I can leave as well? That might be unfair on her but you have to consider it.
No other party is involved in the split, our sources said.
A pal explained: Certainly none of us think either Peter or Autumn are involved with anyone else.
It just seems they have grown apart but its come as a bolt out of the blue for Peter and hes very upset.
The pair have been married for 12 years and have two daughters together
The split is the latest problem for the royal family after a disastrous year, which some commentators have branded a second Annus Horribilis.
Prince Philip injured two members of the public in a car crash then fell ill, disgraced Prince Andrew had to step back from royal duties after a catastrophic interview about his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and last month HOAR revealed Harry and Meghan were quitting the UK.
A senior royal source said: The Queen must wonder what she has done to deserve this.
Peter Phillips has always been a favourite of hers and Prince Philip and she will be crestfallen by this, especially on top of all the other bad news.
It makes you wonder whats going to happen next.
Peter previously dated Elizabeth Lorio, a cod liver oil heiress from the US, and BA air stewardess Tara Swain.
He met Autumn in 2003 at the Formula One Grand Prix in her home city of Montreal.
They were both working at the event, but the Canadian beauty had no idea he was the Queens grandson until she saw a picture of him on TV six weeks later.
She later revealed in an interview her mother told her: Oh, Autumn, what have you gotten yourself into.
Peter proposed in 2007 after he got permission from Autumns father.
Speaking of their engagement, she said: I certainly didnt see the question coming.
I looked horrible in my wellies with wet hair. I said yes straight away though.
Autumn, raised Catholic, had to convert to Church of England before their wedding in 2008 so Peter could stay in the line of succession, where he is currently 15th.
They married at St Georges Chapel in Windsor but Peter was accused of cashing in on his family connections by selling wedding photos to Hello magazine for a reputed 500,000.
Over 300 guests saw the couple tie the knot, including Her Majesty and Prince Philip and 70 members of Autumns family who jetted in from Canada.
In line with tradition, the pair spent the night before the wedding apart with Autumn occupying Windsor Castle while her future husband stayed with his uncle Prince Edward.
Peters sister Zara Phillips was joined by Mike Tindall, who she married three years later, and cousins Princess Beatrice and Prince Eugenie.
Prince Harry was accompanied by then girlfriend Chelsea Davy but Prince William was unable to attend due to a clash with a friends wedding in Kenya. Kate Middleton attended without him.
But both William and Harry privately raised concerns that their then girlfriends featured so heavily in the glossy mags coverage, which was billed as a 100-page special.
Peter and Autumn held their reception at nearby Frogmore House and they travelled there in an open carriage pulled by two Windsor Greys.
The venue was offered to them by Queen Elizabeth, which has added to a belief Peter is the Queens favourite grandchild.
Following their nuptials the couple, who lived in Hong Kong between 2008 to 2010, went on to have two children Savannah, the Queens first great-grandchild, and another daughter, Isla, two years later.
The pair are often referred to as playful tomboys, seen frolicking at horsey events with their royal cousins.
Peter is the son of Princess Anne and her first husband Captain Mark Phillips, and was brought up without a royal title so he could make his own way in the world, just like his sister Zara.
His wedding wasnt the first time hes used his royal connections to make money.
Last month Peter caused controversy after he appeared in an advert promoting Jersey Fresh Milk in commercials shown on Chinese TV.
Peter is seen holding a glass of milk in front of a stately home with the caption: British Royal Family member Peter Phillips.
He boasts in the advert of being brought up on Jersey milk from the herd at Windsor.
Before his milk commercials came to light, he held meetings with Chinese entrepreneur Dr Johnny Hon over a possible launch of a horse-racing private members club in Hong Kong.
Dr Hon said his new business partner, who was receiving a salary for his figurehead role, was able to meet some potential members.
Peter also allegedly made money from organising a street party lunch to celebrate the Queens 90th birthday, with his firm paid 750,000.
His company SEL UK oversaw the bash in The Mall, when 10,000 representatives of the Queens charities paid 150-a-head to attend.
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