Princess Anne’s wedding to Mark Phillips sparked Queen’s hilarious prediction about their future kids
The Queen reportedly showcased her sense of humor after Princess Anne's wedding to Mark Phillips with a remark about what their kids could be like...


Princess Anne’s wedding to Mark Phillips reportedly sparked a hilarious prediction from the Queen about their future kids.
- It's been claimed that after the Princess Royal’s first marriage the late Queen made a witty remark about what her future children would be like.
- The Queen’s comment is said to have reflected Princess Anne and Mark Phillip’s shared passion for horse-riding - something the monarch also loved.
- This royal news comes as we revealed Princess Diana showed her “formidable” side in a pre-wedding cull - but for the most touching reason.
In his upcoming book, Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, author and reported friend of Queen Consort Camilla, Gyles Brandreth is said to have made several shocking revelations, including his claim that the Queen secretly battled illness in the months before her death. However, this isn’t the only royal anecdote he’s understood to have shared and Gyles has apparently celebrated the Queen’s sense of humor with one in particular.
Known for her witty remarks, according to Express.co.uk, Gyles reportedly has suggested that the late monarch made a pretty hilarious prediction after Princess Anne’s wedding to Mark Phillips about their future kids.
The Princess Royal and Captain Phillip’s children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall are the oldest of the late Queen’s grandchildren. They aren’t working royals and Princess Anne’s very forward-thinking reason for turning down titles for them has been disclosed in recent years. Nevertheless they’re prominent members of the Royal Family and have regularly been spotted enjoying Christmas at Sandringham and Trooping the Color at Buckingham Palace.
They also apparently featured in remark made by the Queen after Princess Anne’s wedding to Mark Phillips. Gyles is said to have claimed that the Queen wittily remarked, “I shouldn’t wonder if their children are four-legged”.
This might sound like a rather strange prediction, but it’s said to have reflect Princess Anne and Captain Phillips’ shared passion for horse-riding. They enjoyed illustrious horse-riding careers and they even met on the equestrian circuit before they married in 1973.
Three years after their nuptials, Princess Anne’s Olympic career kicked off when she represented Great Britain at the 1976 Montreal Olympics riding one of the Queen's horses. Sadly, the Queen’s daughter didn’t win a medal but Captain Phillips won gold at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
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Following in her parents’ successful footsteps, Zara Tindall made the Queen’s tongue-in-cheek prediction at least partly come true when she also pursued an equestrian career.
Princess Anne awarded Zara her silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics and Zara’s passion for horses has continued to this day, attending various horse-riding events across the country. Her brother Peter, however, hasn’t taken this horse-focused path in life and has instead worked at major companies ranging from Jaguar to the Royal Bank of Scotland.
The Queen’s reported remark could be seen to have displayed her understanding for just how important horses are to both her daughter and son-in-law and the late monarch had a similar passion for these beautiful creatures.
Ahead of her Platinum Jubilee weekend, Queen Elizabeth was pictured beaming as she watched the Royal Windsor Horse Show - one of her favorite annual events held near Windsor Castle. The Queen’s pony, Emma, even helped pay tribute to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch at her funeral, highlighting how these animals held a special place in her heart, just as they do for Princess Anne, Captain Phillips and Zara Tindall.
Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. She specialises in the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the latest royal outing or unmissable show to add to your to-watch list, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!
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