Sarah Staples, 63, aunt of Peter & Zara Phillips, the younger sister of Capt Mark Phillips, has died at Swindon, Wiltshire. Mrs Staples is survived by her husband Frank. She leaves no children.
Peerage News: Sarah Anne Staples 1951-2014 (http://peeragenews.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/sarah-anne-staples-1951-2014.html)
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QuoteNew Mum Zara Mourns for Aunt: Mark Phillips's Sister Dies Suddenly Aged 63
After the joyful christening of Zara Phillips's daughter Mia late last month, the Queen's granddaughter has received some sad news: her aunt Sarah Staples has died at the age of 63.
'She died suddenly,' says a friend of the family. 'It is very sad.'
Sarah was the only sister of Zara's father, Captain Mark Phillips, who divorced Princess Anne in 1992 when Zara was ten and her brother Peter was 14.
Sarah was always remarkably discreet about her royal relations. 'It's not really done to talk about the children, I'm afraid,' she once said. 'You see, the Princess Royal and their father really don't like the idea of them being written about in newspapers.'
More: Zara Phillips's aunt Sarah Staples dies suddenly aged 63 | Daily Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2876977/New-mum-Zara-mourns-aunt-Mark-Phillips-s-sister-dies-suddenly-aged-63.html)
Cindy
Princess Anne, Autumn Phillips and Peter Phillips attend Sarah Staples' funeral - hellomagazine.com (http://us.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2014122022553/princess-anne-autumn-phillips-sarah-staples-funeral/)
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Princess Anne led the British royals at Sarah Staples' funeral on Friday. The Queen's only daughter stepped out at the Church of St Peter & St Paul in Great Somerford, Wiltshire, to lay her former sister-in-law to rest.
The Princess Royal was joined by her son Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn as well as her ex-husband Captain Mark Phillips and his daughter Stephanie.
Autumn, who was dressed smartly in an all-black ensemble, was seen comforting her husband's half-sister Stephanie by walking arm-in-arm with the 17-year-old as they left the church.
News that Sarah passed away suddenly at the age of 63 came on Wednesday.
Sarah was Captain Mark Phillips' only sister and was sister-in-law to Princess Anne from 1973 until 1992.
"She died suddenly," a friend of the family told the Daily Mail. "It is very sad."
http://royalista.com/71890/princess-anne-mourns-the-death-of-ex-husbands-sister/