12 little-known facts about Queen Elizabeth II’s grandchildren

Of course, you know all about Prince William and Prince Harry, and watched their fairy-tale weddings to Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. But how much do you know about their first cousins, the Queen’s other grandchildren? With four children and eight grandkids total, there are quite a few royal secrets you might not be privy to… and which the Queen doesn’t necessarily want you to know.

In January 2020, royal commentator tongues were set wagging when it was revealed that the Queen’s oldest grandchild, Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips, had been paid to appear in an advertisement for milk on Chinese television. However, it wasn’t the first time Phillips had sold royal access: when he married Canadian Autumn Kelly in 2008, they sold the rights to their wedding photos to Hello! magazine for a reported nearly $1 million dollars.

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In the past, it was always thought that Peter Phillips was her favourite grandchild. Things may have changed. According to a report in the fall of 2019, after spending weeks together at Balmoral Castle, the Queen’s favourite grandchild is Lady Louise Windsor, daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise: steady Sophie has always been known as the Queen’s favourite daughter-in-law.

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While the tabloids were feverishly speculating about Meghan Markle’s influence on Prince Harry – which came to a head in the spring of 2020 with the couple stepping down as senior royals – the decaying relationship between William and Harry took a back seat. Although the brothers denied a feud earlier this year, it was reported last spring by the BBC that their relationship had been “irreparably changed” following Harry’s comments to Tom Bradby on the Harry and Meghan, An African Journey documentary, with William “furious” about Harry’s candour.

The Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall – Princess Anne’s daughter – is a brand ambassador for Land Rover… slightly ironic, considering she was banned from driving for six months after being caught speeding in January 2020. In addition to the temporary ban, stemming from an accumulation of penalty points on her license, she was fined £666 plus costs, as well as a victim surcharge of £151 (a little over $1,000 combined).

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Known for their eye-catching fascinators, as well as strong family ties and deep loyalty, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have also made a name for themselves as lovers of the leisure life. Although they’ve curbed their jet setting ways in recent years, in 2016 alone, Princess Eugenie took – count ’em – seven overseas holidays, while the previous year Beatrice reportedly embarked on a jaw-dropping 15 foreign trips to the tune of approximately £300,000. Despite slowing down, they’re still fabulous: Beatrice recently got married to her longtime boyfriend Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a private ceremony in Windsor.

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Eugenie’s husband, Jack Brooksbank, knows his way around a bar. After years in hospitality, including managing royal favourite hotspot Mahiki, he was hired by George Clooney and Rande Gerber as the UK ambassador for their tequila brand Casamigos and is now the European brand manager. Eugenie and Jack served Casamigos at their wedding, and Eugenie’s mother Sarah has been known to knock back a shot or two with her son-in-law.

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Sophie and Edward’s daughter Lady Louise Windsor was in school before she realised her granny was the Queen. According to Sophie, for Louise “it was much more of a shock to the system. It was only when she was coming home from school and saying, ‘Mummy, people keep on telling me that grandma is the Queen,’” that she realised just how truly important her grandmother was. Prince William and Kate have kept a similar secret from their son George.

After getting caught with marijuana, a then-17-year-old Prince Harry was dragged by Prince Charles to rehab, where he spent a day at London’s Featherstone Lodge rehabilitation centre. According to the royal family, Harry agreed to the visit “to learn about the possible consequences of starting to take cannabis.”

One of the royal family’s favourite traditions involves summer barbecuing in the garden at their Scottish residence Balmoral. For years, Prince Phillip was in charge of the grill, but with his recently diminishing health, Edward and Sophie’s 12-year-old son James, Viscount Severn, has reportedly stepped up to the plate (er, grill). Little is known about James, Edward and Sophie’s only son, who is currently 12th in line for the throne but mostly stays out of the spotlight. Although he was eligible to be named Prince upon birth, Edward and Sophie chose to give him the courtesy title afforded to an Earl’s child, reportedly to help him have a more normal life.

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