Queen Elizabeth II to Become First-Time Great-Grandmother

(July 8) -- Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is about to acquire a new title: great-granny.

Her Majesty's eldest grandson, Peter Phillips, and his wife, Autumn, are expecting their first child, according to reports today in the London Evening Standard and the Daily Mail.

"Peter and Autumn Phillips are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby and in December," the couple said in a statement carried by the newspapers.

The child will be the first great-grandchild for the queen and her husband, Prince Philip. "The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh as well as Autumn's family have been informed and are delighted with the news," the statement said.

Phillips, 32, is the eldest son of Princess Anne and her first husband, Capt. Mark Phillips. He became the first of the royal grandchildren to wed when he married Canadian Autumn Kelly in May 2008.

The couple sparked controversy when it was revealed that they had sold the photo rights to their wedding -- including shots of the queen and other royal guests -- to Hello! magazine.

Phillips is 11th in line to the throne, but neither he nor his sister, equestrienne Zara Phillips, has a royal title.

He was able to retain his place in the succession because Autumn, who was brought up Catholic, converted to Anglicanism before the wedding. British royals who marry a Catholic forfeit their rights to the throne.

Peter and Autumn Phillips live in Hong Kong, where he works for the Royal Bank of Scotland.

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