THE QUEEN IS TO BECOME A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME

PRINCESS ANNE'S SON PETER PHILLIPS AND HIS WIFE AUTUMN ARE EXPECTING THEIR FIRST CHILD IN DECEMBER, BUCKINGHAM PALACE RECENTLY CONFIRMED. THE QUEEN IS SAID TO BE OVERJOYED AFTER LEARNING THAT SHE IS TO BECOME A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME. PHILLIPS AND HIS CANADIAN-BORN WIFE SAID IN A STATEMENT: 'PETER AND AUTUMN PHILIPS ARE DELIGHTED TO CONFIRM THEY ARE EXPECTING A BABY IN DECEMBER. THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AS WELL AS AUTUMN'S FAMILY HAVE BEEN INFORMED AND ARE DELIGHTED WITH THE NEWS.' ALTHOUGH HE IS 11th TO THE THRONE, PHILLIPS DOES NOT HAVE A ROYAL TITLE AS HIS MOTHER DECLINED TO GIVE HER CHILDREN THE HRH TITLE AT BIRTH. AUTUMN WAS BORN AND BROUGHT UP A ROMAN CATHOLIC BUT RENOUNCED HER FAITH SHORTLY BEFORE THEIR WEDDING IN MAY 2008, SO HER HUSBAND TO BE DID NOT HAVE TO GIVE UP HIS CLAIM TO THE THRONE. THE COUPLE ARE LIVING IN HONG KONG WHERE PHILLIPS WORKS IN THE SPONSORSHIP DIVISION OF THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THEY WILL RETURN TO THE UK FOR THE BIRTH. THEIR DECISION TO ACCEPT £500,000 FROM HELLO! MAGAZINE FOR EXCLUSIVE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR WEDDING CEREMONY, FEATURING THE QUEEN, PRINCE CHARLES, AND PRINCE HARRY, CAUSED CONTROVERSY TWO YEARS AGO. SEVERAL SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY EXPRESSED THEIR DISPLEASURE AND BUCKINGHAM PALACE LATER MADE CLEAR THAT IT REGARDED THE SALE AS A SERIOUS ERROR OF JUDGMENT. THE QUEEN HERSELF ALLOWED THE COUPLE TO USE FROGMORE HOUSE AT WINDSOR FOR THE RECEPTION FOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE COUPLE HAVE SINCE MADE AMENDS, HOWEVER, AND HAVE BEN INVITED TO JOIN THE ROYAL FAMILY FOR THEIR RECENT CHRISTMAS GATHERINGS AT SANDRINGHAM.