by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2014
Photo Credit – www.hellomagazine.com
The second husband of Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, Timothy James Hamilton Laurence was born on March 1, 1955, in Camberwell, South London, England, the son of Guy Laurence (1896-1982) and Barbara Symonds. His father was a Commander in the Royal Navy and then a salesman for a marine engine manufacturer. Timothy grew up in Kent, England along with his older brother Jonathan Dobree Laurence (born in 1952).
Timothy began his education at The New Beacon Preparatory School in Sevenoaks, Kent, England. He then attended Sevenoaks School also in Sevenoaks, Kent, England, founded in 1432. Timothy attended University College, Durham on a Naval Scholarship where he was the editor of the student newspaper and captain of the cricket team. He graduated with a Bachelors degree in geography and then completed his naval training at the Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth.
Timothy served on a number of Royal Navy ships as a navigating officer and then as a commander. From 1986-1989, he had his first staff appointment as Equerry to Queen Elizabeth II. An equerry must be a senior officer in the British Armed Services. Timothy also served in various posts in the Ministry of Defence. He retired from the Royal Navy in 2010 with the rank of Vice Admiral.
Timothy Laurence’s Royal Navy ranks:
- Midshipman 1973
- Acting Sub-Lieutenant 1975
- Lieutenant 1977
- Lieutenant-Commander 1985
- Commander 1988
- Captain 1995
- Commodore 1999
- Rear Admiral 2004
- Vice Admiral 2007
Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence with The Princess Royal; Photo Credit – www.thesun.co.uk
Timothy first met his future wife, Anne, Princess Royal when he was Equerry to Queen Elizabeth. As the Queen’s Equerry, a combination secretary and personal attendant, for three years, Timothy learned the ways of the Royal Family. He often ate with the family, accompanied them on outings, cruised with them on the royal yacht, and made the formal introductions when important guests came to visit. Anne’s marriage to Mark Phillips was in trouble and Timothy caught her eye. However, it was not until 1989, when four of Timothy’s love letters were stolen from Anne’s briefcase at Buckingham Palace that the romance came to light. In the same year, Anne separated from her first husband, but the courtship with Timothy remained discreet. The couple was seldom seen together until Anne’s divorce became final in April 1992.
Timothy and Anne married on December 12, 1992, at Crathie Kirk in Ballater, Scotland near Balmoral Castle, in a Church of Scotland ceremony. The Church of Scotland permitted the remarriage of divorced people. Timothy did not receive a peerage upon his marriage but was knighted by the Queen in June 2011 as a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
Photo Credit – http://www.hellomagazine.com
Timothy does not carry out royal duties by himself but offers a supportive role to Princess Anne on some engagements. He does join the Royal Family every year for the annual Trooping the Colour and Remembrance Sunday and participates in family occasions.
Timothy Laurence on Remembrance Sunday 2011 with the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge, and the Countess of Wessex; Photo Credit – www.zimbio.com
Timothy and Anne live at Anne’s country estate Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, England and also have apartments at Buckingham Palace and St. James’ Palace, both in London.
Photo Credit – www.zimbio.com
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