Philip Astor: Inside His Family, Career and Life Beyond the Astor Name
The British barrister and former Tillypronie estate owner has spent much of his life around law, country estates, conservation and one of Britain’s best-known family names.
Introduction
Philip Astor belongs to the British branch of the famous Astor family.
But his own story is quieter.
He trained in law. He worked as a barrister. Later, he became closely linked with Tillypronie Estate in Aberdeenshire, where countryside life, sporting traditions and wildlife interests became a big part of his public story.
He has also written about his family history.
And yes, the Astor name matters here.
Still, Philip built a public record that goes beyond it.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Philip Douglas Paul Astor |
| Known As | The Hon. Philip Astor |
| Date of Birth | 4 April 1959 |
| Age | 67, as of September 2026 |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Barrister |
| Known For | Astor family, Tillypronie Estate, conservation interests |
| Father | Gavin Astor, 2nd Baron Astor of Hever |
| Mother | Irene Astor, Baroness Astor of Hever |
| Education | Eton College; Christ Church, Oxford |
| Wife | Justine Picardie |
| Marriage | July 2012 |
| Former Estate | Tillypronie, Aberdeenshire |
| Public Work | Law, estate management, conservation, family-history writing |
| Current Status | Living |
Who Is Philip Astor?
Philip Douglas Paul Astor is a British barrister and member of the Hever branch of the Astor family.
He was born on 4 April 1959.
He is the youngest son of Gavin Astor, 2nd Baron Astor of Hever, and Irene Astor, Baroness Astor of Hever.
Basically, he grew up inside a family with long links to British public life, publishing, estates and politics.
His own career went another way.
Law came first.
Later, country life became much more visible.
That is where Tillypronie enters the story.
Early Life and Family Background
Philip was born into one of Britain’s best-known Anglo-American families.
His father, Gavin Astor, was the 2nd Baron Astor of Hever.
His mother was Irene Violet Freesia Janet Augusta Haig.
She was the daughter of Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig.
That means Philip grew up with links to both the Astor and Haig families.
His paternal grandfather was John Jacob Astor, 1st Baron Astor of Hever.
The Astor name had already become famous through property, publishing and public life long before Philip was born.
Still, his childhood was not publicly documented in great detail.
So the safest picture is simple.
He came from an established British family.
He later followed a legal path.
Philip Astor’s Siblings
Philip was one of five children.
His siblings include:
- John Jacob Astor
- Bridget Astor
- Elizabeth Louise Astor
- Sarah Violet Astor
Philip is the youngest.
His elder brother John later became the 3rd Baron Astor of Hever.
The wider family also has links to several well-known British public figures.
But those connections should not be confused with Philip’s own career.
Education
Philip Astor attended Eton College.
He later studied at Christ Church, University of Oxford.
Those two institutions have educated many British public figures.
His time at Oxford later appeared in reporting about the Bullingdon Club.
He was listed among members around the early 1980s.
That fact is part of his university-era record.
Nothing more should be read into it.
Legal Career
Philip trained and worked as a barrister.
Sources describing his work have called him a common-law barrister.
He worked in London.
Public information about his legal career is fairly limited.
There is no strong, complete public record giving his chambers, major cases or exact year of call to the Bar.
So those details should not be guessed.
What is clear is this.
Law formed a real part of his professional life.
Tillypronie Estate
Tillypronie became one of the biggest parts of Philip Astor’s public profile.
The estate is in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
His father bought Tillypronie in 1951.
After Gavin Astor died in 1984, Philip took over stewardship of the estate.
That changed his day-to-day life.
He became closely involved with the land, sporting traditions and the wider running of the property.
Tillypronie became well known for shooting, field trials and countryside activity.
Philip’s name became closely tied to it.
Sporting Life at Tillypronie
Tillypronie had a long sporting tradition.
Pointer and setter trials were held there for decades.
The estate was also known for pheasant and grouse shooting.
Philip took part in this side of estate life.
He was quoted publicly discussing the terrain and shooting conditions at Tillypronie.
So this was not a passive ownership role.
He was involved.
That part is clear.
Sporting and Ornithological Art
Philip also built a strong interest in sporting and bird art.
After taking over Tillypronie, he added to the collection inherited from his father.
The collection covered sporting works from the 18th century onward.
Later, major works from the collection were offered through Christie’s.
The group became known as the Astor Collection from Tillypronie.
It was recognised for sporting and ornithological art.
This became another part of Philip’s public identity.
Conservation Work
Philip Astor also worked with the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.
Official company records show that he became a director in September 2005.
He left that directorship in August 2018.
At one stage, he was also publicly described as vice-chairman of the organisation.
His role fits with his long involvement in countryside management.
Again, the public record is strongest around land, wildlife and rural interests.
Wildlife Controversy Linked to Tillypronie
There was also controversy around wildlife management at Tillypronie.
In 2018, reporting covered action taken against a head gamekeeper connected with the estate after an alleged goshawk persecution incident.
This point needs care.
Philip Astor was not reported as having been convicted of a wildlife crime in that case.
The issue involved estate staff and wildlife management.
That distinction matters.
Migvie Chapel
Philip was also involved with Migvie Chapel in Aberdeenshire.
The old kirk had fallen into poor condition.
Philip worked with artist Peter Goodfellow on its restoration and redevelopment.
The site became a peaceful place for reflection.
This work gives another view of Philip’s interests.
Not just law.
Not just estate management.
There was also heritage.
Marriage to Justine Picardie
Philip Astor married British writer and journalist Justine Picardie in July 2012.
Picardie is known for her work in fashion journalism and publishing.
She has held senior editorial roles, including work with Harper’s Bazaar UK.
The couple have appeared together at cultural and fashion events.
A later profile reported them living in South Norfolk.
That report described their home at that time.
Current private residential details should not be published.
First Marriage
Peerage records indicate that Philip Astor has been married twice.
But reliable public sources do not clearly establish enough detail about his first marriage.
So that part should stay out of a factual profile unless stronger evidence appears.
Does Philip Astor Have Children?
Reliable public sources do not clearly document his children.
Some genealogy websites may carry family details.
But they are not strong enough for a careful profile.
So this should not be guessed.
Connection to Prince Philip
Philip Astor has been reported as a godson of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
That gave him a personal link to the British Royal Family.
Still, that does not mean he held an official royal position.
It was a family and social connection.
Nancy Astor Connection
Nancy Astor was Philip’s great-aunt by marriage.
She became famous as the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons.
Philip later wrote publicly about her.
In 2023, he published a piece about Nancy Astor in The Oldie.
The article mixed family memory with history.
He also said he was writing a history of the Hever branch of the Astor family.
So writing became another part of his later work.
Philip Astor as a Writer
Philip is not mainly known as a full-time author.
Still, he has written about his family history.
His 2023 article about Nancy Astor is one clear example.
That makes “family-history writer” a fair description.
Calling him a career author would go too far.
Sale of Tillypronie
Tillypronie was sold in 2017.
That point matters.
Older sources may still describe Philip as the estate’s owner.
That is outdated.
A safer description is:
Philip Astor formerly owned and managed Tillypronie Estate in Aberdeenshire.
Where Does Philip Astor Live?
Public sources have linked Philip to London, Aberdeenshire and later South Norfolk at different times.
His life moved across several places.
London was connected to his legal career.
Aberdeenshire was tied to Tillypronie.
South Norfolk was later reported as his home with Justine Picardie.
Current private address details should stay private.
Is Philip Astor a Politician?
No verified public record shows Philip Astor holding elected political office.
The Astor family has deep political links.
His relatives have held political roles.
Philip’s own public life, though, is more closely tied to law, estate management, countryside interests and family history.
Philip Astor Net Worth
There is no reliable verified figure for Philip Astor’s personal net worth.
The Astor family is historically associated with wealth.
That does not mean an exact personal figure can be calculated.
Online estimates should be treated carefully.
A factual article should not publish a number without strong evidence.
Philip Astor Height
No reliable source confirms Philip Astor’s height.
So no figure should be added.
What Is Philip Astor Doing Now?
Philip remains a living member of the Astor family.
His more recent public work has included writing about family history.
His 2023 article about Nancy Astor confirmed his ongoing interest in the Hever branch of the family.
There is less public information about his day-to-day professional activity now.
That is normal.
He has kept a relatively low profile.
Final Thought
Philip Astor’s life has covered several worlds.
Law came early.
Tillypronie came next.
Then came conservation, sporting art and family history.
His surname carries a lot of history, honestly, but his own public story is more specific.
He worked as a barrister.
He managed a major Scottish estate.
He supported countryside organisations.
And later, he began writing about the family behind the name.
That is the clearest picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Philip Astor?
Philip Astor is a British barrister, former Tillypronie estate owner and member of the Astor family.
How old is Philip Astor?
He was born on 4 April 1959, making him 67 in September 2026.
Who are Philip Astor’s parents?
His parents were Gavin Astor, 2nd Baron Astor of Hever, and Irene Astor, Baroness Astor of Hever.
Who is Philip Astor married to?
He is married to British writer and journalist Justine Picardie.
Did Philip Astor own Tillypronie?
Yes. He formerly owned and managed Tillypronie Estate in Aberdeenshire. The estate was sold in 2017.
What does Philip Astor do?
He has worked as a barrister and has also been involved in estate management, conservation and family-history writing.
Yes. Nancy Astor was his great-aunt by marriage.
Is Philip Astor a politician?
There is no verified record showing him holding elected political office.
