The Phil Collins and Paul McCartney feud has finally ended, 24 years after an awkward exchange at Buckingham Palace turned a signed book into a remarkably durable grievance. Collins said the musicians cleared the air during a phone call earlier in 2026.

Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored on October 2, the Genesis drummer acknowledged that McCartney may never have intended to offend him. Collins also admitted he probably gave the comment more weight than it deserved. Two decades is ample time for reflection, apparently.

What happened at Buckingham Palace in 2002?

The disagreement began during rehearsals for Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee concert in 2002. Collins brought a rare first edition of Hunter Davies’ book about The Beatles and hoped McCartney would sign it.

The book had been given to Collins by his former wife Jill Tavelman, with whom he shares daughter Lily Collins. McCartney arrived with Heather Mills, his wife at the time, and Collins asked for an autograph.

According to Collins, McCartney signed the book and said: “He’s a big fan, our little Phil.”

Collins heard the remark as patronising rather than affectionate. His immediate private reaction was blunt: “You a--hole.”

“He probably didn’t mean it like it sounded,” Collins told Piers Morgan. “I probably made more of it than he meant. I did make more of it.”

That recognition came rather later than the original irritation.

Why did the disagreement last for so long?

The tension became public in 2016 while Collins was promoting his memoir, Not Dead Yet. In an interview with The Sunday Times, he said McCartney had always treated him “condescendingly” and recounted the Buckingham Palace exchange.

McCartney emailed Collins after the article appeared in an attempt to discuss the matter. Collins chose not to reply, allowing one disputed phrase from 2002 to continue doing unnecessary administrative work.

Neither musician publicly resolved the issue at the time. Collins continued to regard the comment as belittling, while McCartney apparently believed there was no lasting problem between them.

Collins is also the father of Joely Collins and Simon Collins with former wife Andrea Bertorelli, and Nicholas Collins and Matthew Collins with former wife Orianne Cevey.

How did Collins and McCartney settle the feud?

The eventual reconciliation began with a charity project. Earlier in 2026, McCartney called Collins after learning that he was collecting memorabilia for an auction benefiting The King’s Trust.

During the conversation, McCartney raised their long-running dispute. Collins said he immediately suspected what was coming when McCartney told him, “While we’re on the phone...”

McCartney then asked: “What is all this about?”

Collins replied: “I wish I’d never said it, Paul. I wish I’d never said it.” McCartney responded, “I thought we were good, you know.”

That was enough to close the matter. “So we kissed and made up,” Collins said.

McCartney has not publicly commented on the reconciliation. Collins, however, now says they are on good terms, bringing a 24-year dispute over “our little Phil” to a close without lawyers, mediators or another commemorative concert.