Queen Elizabeth II is presiding over a fractious period for the Royal Family, as she navigates the departure of her grandson and his wife, Meghan Markle. As she does so, other members of the family are tackling departures of their own, as two couples have filed for divorce.

Two royal couples have filed for divorce within the space of a week this year.

The Queen’s eldest grandson Peter Phillips, the son of Anne, Princess Royal, and her first husband Mark Phillips announced his divorce from wife Autumn on February 11.

In an official statement released on their behalf, it was revealed the couple has “jointly” agreed to separate after informing the Queen and their family members.

They added: “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 (nine) and Isla (seven).

“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.”

Before the couple announced these changes, however, the Queen allegedly tried to intervene.

The Daily Mail Online’s editor-at-large Richard Kay wrote the monarch had urged Autumn Philips not to make a “hasty” decision.

He said: “I understand they told the Queen during a private visit to Balmoral late last summer.”

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“During their stay, Autumn travelled to church with the Queen, who has grown very fond of her spirited granddaughter-in-law.

“She urged them not to make a hasty decision.”

According to royal experts, the Queen still struggles with divorce, finding it “uncomfortable”.

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, said the monarch is “sad but pragmatic” about divorces and feels they are “too easy”.

Her unease with divorce may come from her experiences within the Royal Family itself, as despite her own successful marriage of 72 years, the divorce rate within the Firm is high.

The royal divorce rate is up to 48 times higher than the UK average.

Since the Queen was married in 1947, 12 royal couples have tied the knot, and four have divorced, which translates to a rate of 190 per 1,000 people.

The national divorce rate in the UK is 7.5 per 1,000 married men, and 8.4 per 1,000 married women, according to statistics from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

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