Peter Phillips confirms split from wife Autumn after 12 years of marriage

Peter Phillips and wife Autumn have confirmed they have split after 12 years of marriage.

• The pair released a joint statement this morning, after rumours they had split started yesterday.
• They revealed their divorce comes after months of discussions and that their first priority is their two children - Savannah, nine and Isla, seven.
• This follows royal news that there's a huge clue the Queen might abdicate.

Peter and Autumn Phillips addressed the speculation surrounding their relationship this morning, with a joint statement confirming the split.

The statement released on their behalf read, 'After informing HM The Queen and members of both families last year, Peter and Autumn jointly agreed to separate.

'They had reached the conclusion that this was the best course of action for their two children and ongoing friendship.

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'The decision to divorce and share custody came about after many months of discussions and although sad, is an amicable one.

'The couple’s first priority will remain the continued well being and upbringing of their wonderful daughters Savannah and Isla. Both families were naturally sad at the announcement, but fully supportive of Peter and Autumn in the joint decision to co-parent their children.

'Both Peter and Autumn have remained in Gloucestershire to bring up their two children where they have been settled for a number of years.

'Peter and Autumn have requested privacy and compassion for their children while the family continues to adapt to these changes.'

The statement comes after The Sun reported the couple had split after growing apart.

A source had told the publication, "Peter is absolutely devastated by this and just didn’t see it coming”, a source said.

'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 she’s been telling her friends for some time that there were issues.

“She is a favourite of the Queen and I’m sure Her Majesty will be very upset by this as well.

“It’s 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.”