Queen Elizabeth's eldest grandson Peter Phillips splits from his wife Autumn after 12 years of marriage

Queen Elizabeth's eldest grandson, Peter Phillips has reportedly separated from his wife of 12 years, Autumn Phillips.

Autumn Phillips is believed to have told her husband, 42, that she wants to divorce, leaving the Queen 'upset'.

Friends say that Peter, who is the son of Princess Anne, is 'devastated' at the breakdown of his marriage and hadn't seen it coming.

According to the Sun, some friends are also suggesting that Megxit which saw Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quit the royal family hastened Autumn's decision as she 'wants to return to her native Canada'.

One claimed that she may have been 'influenced' by Harry and Meghan.

A source told The Sun: “Peter is absolutely devastated by this and just didn’t see it coming.

"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.”

Sports marketing consultant Peter, 42, and Autumn, 41, who is a management consultant, have two children – Savannah, nine and Isla, seven.

It is believed the daughters have dual Canadian citizenship which means they could easily live in Canada if Autumn were to return there.

Autumn and Peter married at Windsor Castle in 2008.