Princess Anne has been crowned the hardest working royal multiple times in the last few years.
But despite the numerous engagements she attends, outside of that she tends to stay out of the limelight; especially in comparison to young royals such as Prince Harry.
As a result, not much about Princess Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence is well known; even though he’s been a part of the royal family for over 30 years.
We look back at his early life and relationship with the Princess Royal.
Who is Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence?
Timothy James Hamilton Laurence was born on March 1, 1955, in Camberwell, London. A distinguished naval officer, prior to his marriage to Princess Anne, Laurence rose through the ranks and eventually achieved the rank of Vice Admiral.
He also briefly served as Navigating Officer aboard the royal family’s yacht, the Royal Yacht HMY Britannia – and this was actually portrayed in The Crown’s fifth season.
How did Princess Anne and Timothy Laurence meet?
After serving in the Royal Navy, Timothy became an equerry to The Queen in 1986. It was through this role he is said to have met her daughter, Princess Anne, and in 1988 he was chosen to be one of the three personal advisors to Princess Anne’s Charities Trust. He remains on the board of trustees until today; the longest serving member.
Are Princess Anne and Timothy Laurence still married?
Anne and Timothy tied the knot on December 12, 1992, in a small and private ceremony held at Crathie Kirk in Scotland. As of 2024, the couple are still married and just celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary.
How many times did Princess Anne get married?
Princess Anne has married twice in her life. She wed Captain Mark Phillips in 1973 but the couple ultimately separated in 1989, and then divorced in 1992. Anne then remarried in late 1992, to Timothy.
Why was Anne allowed to remarry?
Princess Anne became the second British royal ever to remarry in 1992 (the first was King Henry VIII). How did she pull it off?
Well, at the time, The Church of England forbade remarrying but The Church of Scotland did not. So Anne and her second husband Timothy wed in Scotland.
Obviously, over the years since Anne’s second wedding, the Church and the royal family has become less traditional about divorce and remarrying; look at King Charles and Queen Camilla!
Did Princess Anne have a baby?
Yes, Princess Anne shares two children with her ex-husband Captain Mark Phillips. The couple welcomed Peter Phillips on November 15, 1977 and Zara Tindall (née Phillips) on May 15, 1981.
Anne and her current husband Timothy never had any children, but he is a supportive step-father to both Peter and Zara.
