London: The Queen is said to be overjoyed after learning that she 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 confirmed on Friday.
Phillips and his Canadian-born wife, both 32, said in a statement: Peter and Autumn Phillips are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in December.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh as well as Autumn's family have been informed and are delighted with the news.
Although he is 11th in line to the throne, Phillips does not have a royal title as his mother declined to give her children the HRH (His Royal Highness) title at birth.
His wife 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 United Kingdom for the birth.
Their decision to accept £500,000 (Dh2.7 million) from Hello! magazine for exclusive use of photographs of their wedding ceremony featuring the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince Harry and royal girlfriends Kate Middleton and Chelsy Davy caused controversy two years ago.
Serious error of judgment
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 free of charge.
The couple have since made amends, however, and have been invited to join the Royal Family for their recent Christmas gatherings at Sandringham.
