Zara Tindall's half-sister Stephanie Phillips reveals she's engaged
Zara Tindall’s half-sister Stephanie Phillips, 23, reveals she’s engaged to long-term boyfriend William Hosier as the royal celebrates her 40th birthday
- Stephanie is a daughter of Princess Anne’s first husband Captain Mark Phillips
- Worcester-based half-sister of Zara and Peter Phillips dating William since 2019
- Announced engagement on Instagram yesterday – the day before Zara’s 40th
Zara Tindall’s secret half-sister Stephanie Phillips has revealed she’s engaged to long-term boyfriend William Hosier.
The 23-year-old is the daughter of Princess Anne’s first husband Captain Mark Phillips and his Hawaiian-born second wife Sandy Pflueger, who was part of the US dressage team at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Worcester-based event rider Stephanie, who has been dating agricultural graduate William since 2019, announced her happy news on Instagram yesterday – the day before Zara’s 40th birthday today.
Stephanie shared a series of romantic photos with her fiancé, who is believed to have popped the question on May 9, and showed off her dazzling oval sapphire and diamond engagement ring.
Zara Tindall’s secret half-sister Stephanie Phillips has revealed she’s engaged to long-term boyfriend William Hosier
Worcester-based event rider Stephanie, who has been dating agricultural graduate William since 2019, announced her happy news on Instagram yesterday – the day before Zara’s 40th birthday today
Wearing her long blonde locks in a half updo, Stephanie wore a chic cream top and rested her hand on William’s chest in the official portrait which she credited to Quiet Media. According to the company’s Instagram, it’s run by Samuel and Tamy Hosier – most likely relatives of William’s.
In another sweet shot, the couple – both donning Barbour jackets – gaze into each other’s eyes while Stephanie gently cradles William’s chin.
Stephanie’s post racked up 275 likes, with many of her followers rushing to congratulate them.
One wrote: ‘Congratulations Steph! Wonderful, happy news,’ while another commented: ‘Huge congratulations,’ followed by a Champagne emoji.
Meanwhile many royal fans took to social media today to wish Zara – who welcomed her third child with former England rugby ace Mike Tindall in March – a happy birthday. Mike announced the birth of his son Lucas on his podcast The Good, The Bad & The Rugby.
Stephanie’s post racked up 275 likes, with many of her followers rushing to congratulate the couple
Zara Tindall and Peter Philip’s younger half-sister Stephanie has her own share of luxury, sharing photos of herself on exotic trips to glamorous destinations online. She is pictured with Zara and Peter at a New Year’s Eve Celebration
Stephanie, 23, pictured left on holiday in her mother’s native Hawaii, is the daughter of Captain Mark Phillips and his second wife Sandy Pflueger. Right at a wedding with William, whom she has been dating since 2019
A very glamorous life! Travelling all over the world, Stephanie shared snaps of herself skiing in Austria (with William)
While keeping a relatively low profile, the equestrian has been pictured at some royal events, serving a flower girl at both Zara’s 2011 wedding to Mike Tindall and Peter’s 2008 wedding to Autumn Kelly. Pictured far right
Like her parents and older sibling Zara, Stephanie is a keen equestrian – often sharing pictures of her beloved horses on Instagram, while she also grew up a stone’s throwaway from them on Aston Farm on the Gatcombe Park estate.
However, her career as an eventing pro has not quite matched up to that of Olympic silver medallist Zara, her most recent success being placing fifth at Pontispool in May 2019.
Stephanie attended the prestigious Dean Close School in Cheltenham, where fees cost up to £13,900 per term.
After achieving CCD at A-Level, she went on to study at Business Management at the University of Worcester, and graduated last year.
In official photos from Autumn and Peter Phillips’ wedding in 2008, Stephanie is pictured in front of Princess Anne an her second husband Sir Timothy Laurence, pictured front right
Despite her royal connections, Stephanie maintained a low-key profile throughout her time at school, and even worked as a barmaid at a local pub.
She completed both the bronze and gold Duke of Edinburgh awards on the scheme, which was founded by her half-sister’s grandfather.
Now, it appears she has followed in the footsteps of her Olympian sister and become a sportswoman.
An accomplished rider, she’s competed at Barbury International, Wellington International Horse Trials and the West Wiltshire trials.
She’s sponsored by Voltaire Design – a saddle maker – and is often seen in trendy equestrian designs.
The Worcester-based Eventing pro seems particularly close to Peter, describing him in an Instagram post as ‘the best big brother out there’ in an Instagram post. She is pictured in fancy dress with Peter and his ex-wife Autumn
Stephanie is also a keen traveller, posting snaps from travels across the world including trips to Hawaii, Austalia, New Zealand, Croatia and Slovenia. She’s pictured in her mother’s native Hawaii with her father Captain Mark Phillips and mother Sandy Pflueger
Meanwhile the 23-year-old is also believed to be a keen skier, having travelled with William for a couple’s trip away to Austria in January 2020.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Stephanie was also a keen traveller, posting snaps from travels across the world including trips to Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Croatia and Slovenia.
While she’s usually based in Worcester, she is believed to have spent lockdown with William.
Despite keeping a relatively low profile, the equestrian has been pictured at some royal events, serving a flower girl at both Zara’s 2011 wedding to Mike Tindall and Peter’s 2008 wedding to Autumn Kelly.
The eventing pro seems close to both of her siblings, enjoying a special relationship with Peter, describing him in an Instagram post as ‘the best big brother out there’.
All laughs! Stephanie is pictured with her dogs in the English countryside in a recent snap
She also regularly shares snaps of one of her nieces Isla, now nine, posting sweet snaps of her at Pepper Pig world as a toddler.
In one image of the youngster wearing Easter bunny ears, Stephanie wrote: ‘Cutest Easter bunny ever.’
Peter’s wife and Isla’s mother Autumn responded: ‘She loves her aunty Steph!’
In official photos from the day she’s pictured in front of Princess Anne an her second husband Sir Timothy Laurence.
Before lockdown, she was also regularly seen with her siblings at eventing competitions, including in one sweet snap where she gave her brother-in-law Mike Tindall a piggyback.
In another she’s seen hugging Zara, the picture of sisterly love despite the 17-year age gap.
Before lockdown, Stephanie was regularly seen with her siblings at eventing competitions, including in one sweet snap where she gave her brother-in-law Mike Tindall a piggyback (right) In another she’s seen hugging Zara, the picture of sisterly love despite the 17-year age gap.
All love! Stephanie is pictured in 2011 with Zara at the Burghley Horse Trials in Lincolnshire
Stephanie is also close to her father Captain Mark Phillips, writing in one Facebook post that she ‘loves him loads’.
Captain Mark, 72, was married to the Queen’s only daughter Princess Anne, 70, from 1973 to 1992, and in 1997 tied the knot with Stephanie’s mother Sandy Pflueger, an Hawaiian horse rider, although the pair separated in 2012.
Mark, who is an Olympic gold-medal winning horseman, also has a daughter with daughter, Felicity, as a result of an extramarital affair with New Zealand art teacher Heather Tonkin – who was born while he was still married to the Princess Royal.
Since leaving the military Mark Phillips, pictured competing at the Badminton Horse Trials in 1976, has spent his life in the world of equestrianism
Having to travel across the world for her work, Stephanie is shown having dinner with her father in Australia
Stephanie is also close to her father Captain Mark Phillips, writing in one Facebook post that she ‘loves him loads’
In 1972, at the age of 23, Captain Phillips was a member of the British three-day event team that won the gold medal at the Munich Olympics. It was at the Games that he met Princess Anne. The couple got engaged the following year.
As well as Olympics success, Captain Phillips won the Badminton Horse Trials in 1971 and 1972 riding Great Ovation, in 1974 on Colombus, and in 1981 on Lincoln.
After he retired from the Army, he continued to style himself Captain Mark Phillips – which was allowed because junior cavalry officers whose civilian work involves equestrianism may continue to use their rank.
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