Princess Anne’s husband of 34 years’ rare comment about her ex Mark Phillips

Princess Anne and her second husband Sir Timothy Laurence, 71, have been happily married for more than 30 years since 1992

Princess Anne mark phillips timlaurence - Eleanor

rincess Anne has been happily married to Sir Timothy Laurence since 1992 – the same year that she divorced Captain Mark Phillips.

However, she’s said to be on good terms with her ex-husband, and it’s clear there’s no bad blood between him and Sir Tim, either.

In fact, the former Royal Navy officer, 71, has spoken openly about what they have in common – and why it attracted the attention of the Princess Royal, 75.

Speaking in 2020 in an ITV documentary to mark his wife’s birthday, Anne: The Princess Royal at 70, he pointed out that they are both military officers, something that he finds “amusing”.

He said: “It’s quite amusing that she married first an Army officer and then a Naval officer. So there must be something about the military that attracts her.”

Beginning of their relationship

Princess Anne met Sir Timothy when she was still married to Captain Mark, 77. At the time, he was Equerry to her mother, the late Queen Elizabeth. He had previously served aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia.

They began an affair, with the public finding out about it when Anne’s love letters were stolen from her briefcase and leaked to The Sun newspaper.

Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace© Getty
Princess Anne Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence began their relationship in secret

Anne and Captain Mark separated in 1989, with the official divorce announcement coming in 1992.

She eloped with Sir Tim for a small ceremony at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral in Scotland – much smaller than her huge royal wedding to Captain Mark at Westminster Abbey.

Speaking of her relationship with Tim in the documentary, Anne’s son, Peter Phillips, said: “They both have an understanding of what being a part of the wider family means and what is required.

Princess Anne talks with husband Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence and ex-husband Mark Phillips as they attend the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park on August 4, 2007© Getty Images
Princess Anne talks with husband Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence and ex-husband Mark Phillips as they attend the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park on August 4, 2007

“And for the last 25 years plus, they’ve been together now, he’s been a very strong support for her.”

Loyally by her side

Sir Timothy has been the quiet support by Anne’s side for over 30 years. The couple made an official trip to Greece last month, visiting Athens and Crete to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete during the Second World War.

Last Saturday, they attended Peter Phillips’ wedding to Harriet Sperling, which also saw a rare appearance from Captain Mark, alongside his rumoured girlfriend, Florence Standaert.

Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence smiling wearing a black suit© Getty Images
Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence attended Peter Phillips’ royal wedding

HELLO!‘s royal contributor, Tracy Schaverein, noted: “As Anne provides a much-needed steadying hand to her elder brother, the King, her loyal husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, is there to support her.”

Sir Tim is not a working royal, but is a crucial support to his wife.

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, noted that Peter may hope to recreate the stability of his mother’s marriage with his new bride, Harriet.

She told HELLO! previously: “I’m sure Peter thinks that he would like this marriage to be like his mother’s. He is always there for her, which I think is what she wanted in her second marriage.

“She wanted someone who was around a bit and would support her in her very hard-working life. And that is what Tim has done.”

CRE: https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/906895/princess-anne-husband-sir-timothy-laurence-rare-comment-ex-mark-phillips/