Mark Phillips Explained

Mark Phillips
Birth Name:Mark Anthony Peter Phillips
Birth Date:22 September 1948
Birth Place:Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England
Spouse:
    Sport:Horse riding
    Show-Medals:yes
    Module3:
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    Allegiance: United Kingdom
    Unit:1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards
    Awards:Commander of the Royal Victorian Order

    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.

    Family background and early life

    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] 1926–1988);[1] they married in 1946. Anne was educated at Downe House and served in the Women's Royal Naval Service during the Second World War.[2] Her father John Gerhard Edward Tiarks (1896–1962), who served in the First and Second World Wars, attained the rank of Brigadier. John Tiarks was 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.

    Military career

    Upon passing out from Sandhurst, Phillips was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards in July 1969, he was promoted to Lieutenant in January 1971. By the time of his wedding to Princess Anne in November 1973, Phillips was an acting Captain.[4] In January 1974, he was appointed a Personal aide-de-camp to Queen Elizabeth II. Phillips was substantively promoted to captain in July 1975, and retired from the Army on 30 March 1978.

    Phillips continued to style himself Captain Mark Phillips,[5] as it is usual for retired cavalry captains to keep using their rank if their civilian job involves working with horses in racing or equestrian sports.[6]

    Equestrian career

    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 later won a silver medal in the three-day event with the British team at the 2012 Olympics.[7]

    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.[8] [9]

    Personal life

    See also: Wedding of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips. Phillips first met his future wife Princess Anne at a party for horse lovers in 1968.[10] They married on 14 November 1973, at Westminster Abbey.[11] 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.[12] [13]

    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.[14] The couple had rarely been seen in public together, and both were romantically linked with other people.[15] They continued to share the custody of their children, and initially announced that "there were no plans for divorce."[16] [17] Meanwhile, Phillips continued to work at the couple's estate at Gatcombe Park.[16] 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.[18] Phillips and Princess Anne divorced on 23 April 1992.[19]

    On 1 February 1997, Phillips married Sandy Pflueger, an American Olympic dressage rider. Their daughter Stephanie was born on 2 October 1997.[20] 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.[21]

    Phillips' personal wealth is thought to be around £15–20 million.[22] The settlement he received when his marriage to Princess Anne ended was described as "modest"[22] and reported to be around "$3 million".[23]

    On 19 September 2022, Philips was present at the committal service at St George's Chapel for his former mother in law Elizabeth II.[24]

    Honours and arms

    Military ranks

    Honours

    British honours

    Honorary military appointments

    Foreign honours

    Arms

    Notes:These arms were granted to Peter Phillips, the father of Captain Mark Phillips, in October 1973. Mark used these arms differenced with a three point label until he inherited the undifferenced arms from his father in 1998.[30] He was granted hereditary supporters, a rare privilege for untitled people.
    Crest:On a Wreath of the colours, a spur rowed upward or, winged argent, enclosing a lozenge sable.
    Escutcheon:Per chevron azure and Or, in chief a horse courant argent, and in base a sprig of forget-me-not flowers, slipped and leaved proper.
    Supporters:On the dexter side a winged lion, and on the sinister side a winged horse Argent, each gorged with a representation of the Coronet of HRH The Princess Anne proper.
    Motto:Pro rege et patria (For king and country).
    Orders:Royal Victorian Order

    Issue

    By Princess Anne
    NameBirthMarriageIssue
    15 November 1977 17 May 2008
    Divorced 14 June 2021[31]     		Savannah Phillips
    Isla Phillips[32]
    15 May 1981 30 July 2011[33] Mia Tindall
    Lena Tindall
    Lucas Tindall[34]
    By Heather Tonkin
    By Sandy Pflueger

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Princess Anne Attends Funeral. AP News. 18 September 1998. 29 November 2020. 16 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230416111328/https://apnews.com/article/bac89a6b60339f5957dac1936734c26c. live.
    2. Web site: Tiarks. Frank. Tiarks of Foxbury as researched by Charles A. H. Franklyn-. tiarks.co.uk. 30 May 2015. Educated, Downe House, Newbury, Berks....served in the WRNS.... 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165204/http://www.tiarks.co.uk/tiarks_5.htm. live.
    3. Web site: Zara Tindall mourns the sudden death of her aunt Sarah Staples. Hello!. 17 December 2014. 29 November 2020. 16 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230416105236/https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2014121722489/mark-phillips-sister-sarah-staples-dies/. live.
    4. Web site: Morgan. Gwen. A Royal Wedding Album. Chicago Tribune 15 November 1973. 4 March 2016. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Michael Ramsey, blesses Princess Ann and Capt. Mark Phillips..... 6 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150706211607/http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1973/11/15/page/92/article/a-royal-wedding-album. live.
    5. http://www.britroyals.com/family.asp?id=mark Mark Phillips
    6. http://www.debretts.com/forms-of-address/professions/armed-forces/army/retired.aspx Retired and Former Officers, The Army, Armed Forces, Professions, Forms Of Address | Debrett's
    7. Web site: Mark Phillips. https://web.archive.org/web/20200418040948/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ph/mark-phillips-1.html. dead. 18 April 2020. Sports Reference. 16 May 2018.
    8. Web site: Phillips and Ransehousen Named 2011 USEF Coaches of the Year. United States Equestrian Federation. 18 January 2012. 16 May 2018. 15 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230415075012/https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/7987_phillips-and-ransehousen-named--usef-coaches-of-the-year. live.
    9. Web site: Captain Mark Phillips. United States Eventing Association. 16 May 2018. 17 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517082139/http://useventing.com/news/captain-mark-phillips. dead.
    10. Web site: Princess Anne To Separate From Husband. Chicago Tribune. R. C.. Longworth. 1 September 1989. 13 May 2018. 14 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180514065632/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1989-09-01/news/8901090513_1_princess-royal-princess-anne-royal-marriage. live.
    11. News: 1973: Crowds cheer marriage of Princess Anne. BBC. 12 February 2015. 14 November 1973. 7 March 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080307122244/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/14/newsid_2519000/2519003.stm. live.
    12. Glasgow Herald, 24 June 1976, p. 1
    13. The Australian Women's Weekly, 21 July 1976, p. 4
    14. News: But No Divorce Is Planned : Princess Anne, Husband Split. Los Angeles Times. 31 August 1989. 14 May 2018. 19 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180819205233/http://articles.latimes.com/1989-08-31/news/mn-2119_1_princess-anne. live.
    15. A Crisis Rocks a Royal Marriage. People. 24 April 1989. 13 May 2018. Joanne. Kaufman. Jonathan. Cooper. 7 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180307170613/http://people.com/archive/cover-story-a-crisis-rocks-a-royal-marriage-vol-31-no-16/. live.
    16. News: 1989: Royal couple to separate. 31 August 1989. BBC. 14 May 2018. 20 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180820014414/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/31/newsid_2510000/2510877.stm. live.
    17. News: Princess Anne and Husband Agree to Separate. The New York Times. Sheila. Rule. 1 September 1989. 14 May 2018. 15 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180515112232/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/01/world/princess-anne-and-husband-agree-to-separate.html. live.
    18. News: Royal scandal: Zara Tindall's 'secret' nephew born in NZ. The New Zealand Herald. 19 August 2017. 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.. 10 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221010123032/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/royal-scandal-zara-tindalls-secret-nephew-born-in-nz/IXPU6D2W22DNIJBL7WT5TEB7VU/. live.
    19. News: Brozan. Nadine. Chronicle. New York Times. 24 April 1992. 17 February 2017. 3 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240403044341/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/24/style/chronicle-753392.html. live.
    20. News: Princess Anne's ex-husband a father again. Reading Eagle. Reading, PA. A10. 7 October 1997. 1 December 2020. 11 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230411122626/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=N6YkAAAAIBAJ&pg=2831,4424040&dq=mark+phillips+a+father+again&hl=en. live.
    21. Web site: Captain Mark Phillips to divorce for second time after falling for 35-year-old Lauren Hough. Gordon. Rayner. 3 May 2012. 10 December 2018. www.telegraph.co.uk. 4 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230604222524/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/9243928/Captain-Mark-Phillips-to-divorce-for-second-time-after-falling-for-35-year-old-Lauren-Hough.html. live.
    22. William Langley "Captain Mark Phillips: He's found love in the saddle (again)", telegraph.co.uk, 6 May 2013
    23. Web site: With No Hope for a Happy Ending, Princess Anne Brings Her Storybook Marriage to a Close. PEOPLE.com. en. 2019-07-16. 11 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230411122626/https://people.com/archive/with-no-hope-for-a-happy-ending-princess-anne-brings-her-storybook-marriage-to-a-close-vol-32-no-12/. live.
    24. News: Arasteh . Amira . Who's invited to the Queen's funeral? The Royals, politicians and world leaders on the guest list . 22 November 2023 . The Telegraph . 14 September 2022 . 13 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220913135319/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/09/13/queens-funeral-guest-list-who-royals-politicians-invited/ . live .
    25. Web site: The London Gazette . 3 June 2022 . 23 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220923212137/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/46371/page/ . live .
    26. Web site: Notes on People. Albin. Krebs. 15 August 1974. 10 December 2018. The New York Times. 11 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230411124106/https://www.nytimes.com/1974/08/15/archives/anne-24-honored-for-bravery-in-kidnapping-attempt.html. live.
    27. Web site: Anne Mark Guildhall . Getty Images . February 2005 . 27 August 2020 . 16 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230316130644/https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/princess-anne-and-her-husband-mark-phillips-attending-the-news-photo/52102559?adppopup=true . live .
    28. Book: Medal Yearbook 2021 . 2021 . Token Publishing . Honiton, Devon . 978-1-908828-53-8 . 295.
    29. Web site: Platinum Jubilee Medal revealed. Gov.uk. 9 February 2022. 24 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210924231607/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/platinum-jubilee-medal-revealed. live.
    30. News & Views . The Heraldry Gazette . 57 . 17 . March 1974 .
    31. News: Gallagher. Sophie. 14 June 2021. Divorce settled for Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips and Autumn Phillips. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/peter-phillips-autumn-divorce-queen-anne-b1865570.html . 26 May 2022 . subscription . live. The Independent. London. 14 June 2021.
    32. News: Queen a great-grandmother again. ITV News. 30 March 2012. 16 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180425114551/http://www.itv.com/news/update/2012-03-30/queen-a-great-grandmother-again//. 25 April 2018. live.
    33. News: Zara Phillips wedding: Ceremony at Edinburgh church . . 30 July 2011 . 1 December 2011 . 25 December 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111225065255/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-14344093 . live .
    34. Web site: Zara Tindall and husband Mike confirm birth of baby boy - a new great-grandson for the Queen. 24 March 2021. Sky News. 22 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230222225015/https://news.sky.com/story/zara-and-mike-tindall-welcome-new-baby-boy-12255034. live.
    35. Web site: Princess Anne attends the wedding of her ex-husband's daughter, Stephanie Phillips. Tatler. Rebecca. Cope. 11 July 2022. 6 December 2022. 8 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230208135226/https://www.tatler.com/article/princess-anne-attends-the-wedding-of-her-ex-husbands-daughter-stephanie-phillips. live.

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