The Queen was said to be "delighted" yesterday after learning she is to become a great-grandmother for the first time.

Peter Phillips - 11th in line to the throne - and his wife Autumn are expecting their first child in December.

Buckingham Palace 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."

Mr Phillips, the Queen's eldest grandson, married his Canadian-born wife at a glittering ceremony at Windsor Castle in May 2008.

The son of the Princess Royal met his wife in 2003 at the Montreal Grand Prix, where they were both working.

Initially, he did not tell her that he was the Queen's grandson and she only found out when she spotted him in a programme about Prince William.

Mrs Phillips is a former Roman Catholic but was accepted into the Church of England shortly before the wedding.

Had she not changed churches, Mr Phillips would have had to give up his right to become king.

The couple faced controversy two years ago after being paid a reported £500,000 by a glossy magazine for photographs of their wedding.