Exploring the Evolving Bond Between Prince William and Cousin Peter Phillips
Discover the enduring friendship between Prince William and Peter Phillips, Princess Anne's son, as their relationship has grown over the years.
Prince William and Cousin Peter Phillips Relationship Through the Years
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Prince William and his oldest cousin, Peter Phillips, spent their childhood together. They enjoyed going on holidays to visit Queen Elizabeth II at Sandringham, Balmoral, and Windsor. Peter mentioned during a 2016 interview on Good Morning Britain how fortunate they were to have shared many childhood memories with the Queen. They had a lot of fun playing with William and Harry, Freddie and Ella Windsor, and the Gloucesters. The royal residences provided plenty of space for the kids to run around and have a great time.
Peter reminisced about the fun times growing up with a big group of friends. They had a lot of fun and caused some chaos, but luckily didn't cause too much damage.
William and Peter are the two oldest grandsons of the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Peter, born in November 1977 to Princess Anne and ex-husband Captain Mark Phillips, was followed by William five years later. William's sister, Zara Tindall, was born one year before him.
William and Peter maintained a close bond as they grew older. They walked together, alongside Prince Harry, in the funeral processions for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Let's take a look back at their relationship over the years.
June 1982
William was the late queen’s third grandchild, after Peter and Zara. They were often seen together at royal events like Trooping the Colour, Christmas walks at Sandringham, and family vacations.
Prince William and Cousin Peter Phillips Relationship Through the Years
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July 1986
Peter and William were both pageboys at the wedding of their uncle Prince Andrew and his now-ex Sarah Ferguson.
April 2005
In April 2005, William and his brother attended the wedding of Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Guildhall, despite William's previous disapproval of their relationship. The siblings were spotted arriving at the venue with Peter and Zara.
In the years that followed, William and Peter continued to step out at joint official appearances.
April 2021
In September 2022, a private service was held at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle to remember the late Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip. Instead of a large state funeral, the intimate ceremony included his children Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Prince Edward walking behind his casket into the chapel. Also present were William, Peter, and Harry, with Peter standing between his cousins.
Elizabeth passed away at the age of 96, one year later. Before her state funeral at Westminster Abbey, her grandchildren, including William, Harry, Peter, Zara, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor, and James, Earl of Wessex, gathered around her coffin at Westminster Hall for a solemn vigil.
Her casket was then taken to Westminster Abbey on September 19 for a memorial service. Peter, accompanied by William and Harry, walked in the procession.
Prince William and Cousin Peter Phillips Relationship Through the Years
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March 2024
Peter gushed about William’s marriage to Princess Kate Middleton following her cancer diagnosis.
"They make a great team," he said to Sky News Australia, referring to her and William. "Their kids are wonderful, and they seem to have found a good balance between their public duties and being parents to three young children, which can be challenging."
Peter went on to say, "It's important to be there for your children as they grow up. Being able to drop them off at school, pick them up, attend their games, and be involved in their school life is crucial. I believe they have found a good balance between family life and their public roles."
William and Kate have three children together: sons Prince George and Prince Louis, and daughter Princess Charlotte. Meanwhile, Peter co-parents daughters Savannah and Isla with his ex-wife Autumn Kelly.
Prince William and Cousin Peter Phillips Relationship Through the Years
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April 2024
Weeks later, royal sources revealed to The Telegraph that Peter is seen more as a brother to William rather than just a cousin. According to an insider, "He's always been like a slightly older brother to William, even more so since Harry moved to America."
In 2020, Harry and Meghan Markle relocated to the United States after stepping down from their roles as senior working royals. This move came during a rift with William, with Harry stating that his older brother was behind negative stories about Meghan in the media. William, however, never publicly addressed these allegations.
Editor's P/S:
The bond between Prince William and his cousin, Peter Phillips, is a testament to the enduring power of family. Despite their different upbringings and life paths, the two men have remained close throughout their lives. Their shared childhood memories of carefree days spent at royal residences and the loss of their beloved grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, have only strengthened their connection. Peter's role as a supportive and protective figure for William, particularly in the wake of Prince Harry's departure from the royal family, highlights the importance of having a strong and reliable family network.
The article provides a glimpse into the private lives of the British royal family, offering insights into their relationships and the challenges they face. The close bond between William and Peter serves as a reminder that even within the most public of families, love and support can endure.
