Princess Anne’s Family Welcomes A Surprise New Granddaughter – And Her Growing Bond With Peter Phillips’ Teenage Stepdaughter Is Winning Hearts

Princess Anne has a new granddaughter – one she may never have expected to welcome into the family. But following Peter Phillips’ second marriage, the Princess Royal is reportedly embracing her teenage step-granddaughter Georgina Sperling, with their relationship already said to be blossoming.

At 76, Anne has another reason to celebrate. Her son Peter married NHS nurse Harriet Sperling on June 6, 2026, in an intimate ceremony at All Saints Church in Kemble. The wedding marked the beginning of a new chapter for the couple – and officially brought Harriet’s 15-year-old daughter, Georgina, into the royal family.

For Anne, this is about more than gaining a daughter-in-law. It means welcoming another young member into her growing family, and those close to the royals suggest she couldn’t be happier.

“Anne’s so happy for Peter – she’s not seen him smile like this since he was a boy,” an insider exclusively tells New Idea.

ANNE OPENS HER ARMS TO HER NEW GRANDDAUGHTER

The transition into royal family life appears to have been a warm one for Harriet and Georgina.

According to the insider, Anne has gone out of her way to make them feel at home. Even Zara Tindall, who is famously guarded, is reportedly delighted with her new step-niece.

But Georgina isn’t the only one adjusting to the new family dynamic. Peter’s daughters, Savannah, 15, and Isla, 14, whom he shares with former wife Autumn Kelly, have also welcomed their new stepsister.

In fact, the three teenagers are said to have formed a particularly close bond.

“You couldn’t ask for a more perfectly blended family,” the source says.

“Savannah and Isla adore their new stepsister, and the trio have become quite a force to be reckoned with.”

For Georgina, having two stepsisters so close to her own age could make settling into an unfamiliar family environment considerably easier.

A SIXTH GRANDCHILD ANNE NEVER SAW COMING

Before Peter’s marriage to Harriet, Princess Anne already had five grandchildren.

Her existing grandchildren are:

• Savannah and Isla Phillips: Peter’s daughters from his marriage to Autumn Kelly.
• Mia Tindall, 12: The eldest child of Zara and Mike Tindall.
• Lena Tindall, eight: Their second daughter.
• Lucas Tindall, five: Their youngest child.

Now, with Georgina joining the family, Anne has six grandchildren.

It may not have been an addition she anticipated, but reports suggest the Princess Royal has embraced her expanded family with genuine enthusiasm.

Her relationship with Georgina is reportedly becoming especially close, while other members of the Royal Family have also welcomed the teenager into their circle.

WHO IS GEORGINA SPERLING? THE TEENAGER ENTERING ROYAL LIFE

Unlike Savannah and Isla, Georgina didn’t grow up surrounded by royal traditions, palace life or the attention that comes with being connected to the monarchy.

She is Harriet’s daughter from her first marriage to fitness instructor Antonio St John Sperling. Throughout her relationship with Peter, Harriet has largely kept her daughter out of the public eye.

That began to change in 2026.

Georgina made her royal debut at the Easter Matins service, where she appeared alongside Peter’s daughters. Her public appearances became more frequent in the months leading up to her mother’s wedding.

She also played an important role in the ceremony itself, serving as a bridesmaid alongside Savannah and Isla.

Now stepping into a family with a very different level of public attention, Georgina has two new stepsisters who can help her navigate the unfamiliar territory.

Their growing friendship could prove particularly important as she finds her place within the wider royal circle.

GEORGINA MAY HAVE HELPED BRING PETER AND HARRIET TOGETHER

There is another intriguing detail behind Peter and Harriet’s romance: Georgina is believed to have played a part in bringing the couple into each other’s lives.

Peter and Harriet reportedly first crossed paths at a sporting event involving their children. What began as an encounter between two parents eventually developed into a relationship, with the pair starting to date in spring 2024.

Their romance moved forward when they announced their engagement on August 1, 2025.

At the time, Hello! Magazine royal editor Emily Nash revealed that Harriet had been “warmly welcomed” into the Royal Family.

Their wedding on June 6, 2026, made that welcome official. It also marked Georgina’s arrival into the family, giving Peter’s new marriage significance beyond the couple themselves.

WHO IS PETER PHILLIPS’ NEW WIFE, HARRIET SPERLING?

Harriet has built her professional career in healthcare, working as a paediatric nurse specialist for the NHS, the UK’s national health service.

Her background includes studying at St Mary’s University in Twickenham before specialising in paediatric care at Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

Now based in Gloucestershire, Harriet is reportedly focused on early brain development.

Despite marrying into one of Britain’s most recognisable families, she has maintained a relatively private personal life. However, she has increasingly joined Peter at public engagements, and the couple are regularly spotted enjoying one of Princess Anne’s favourite pastimes: attending horse racing events.

With Peter seemingly happier than ever, Harriet settling comfortably into the family and Georgina growing closer to Savannah and Isla, this latest chapter in Princess Anne’s family life appears to be unfolding on particularly happy terms.

And for the Princess Royal, the unexpected arrival of a sixth grandchild may turn out to be one of the most welcome surprises of all.