The Princess Royal was ‘banned’ from marrying Sir Timothy Laurence due to an old royal rule…

The Princess Royal, Anne, is a staple within the royal family and is often dubbed the most hard-working royal, but what about her life away from The Firm, like her past relationships and marriages?

After divorcing her first husband Captain Mark Phillips, Princess Anne fell in love again with her current partner Sir Timothy Laurence. Although an old rule prevented her from having a traditional royal wedding the second time around.

We take a look back at the royal’s past and her relationship with Sir Timothy Laurence now.
Anne also dated Camilla’s ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles (Credit: Splash News and Pictures)

Princess Anne’s past relationships included Camilla’s ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles

The royal’s teenage loves included a range of people that had links to The Firm. From Gerald Ward, who became Prince Harry’s godfather to Sandy Harper, a polo player.

The teenager was also linked to Brian Alexander and the Early of Caithness. Then she fell for Olympic equestrian Richard Meade, but they parted ways after her early 20s. Rumours claim her father Prince Philip was against the relationship because there was a 12-year age gap between the two.

There was a complicated love triangle between Princess Anne, brother Prince Charles, Camilla and Andrew Parker Bowles too. Anne briefly dated Andrew in 1970 before he tied the knot to Camilla three years later, and she even took him as a date to Royal Ascot. However, it never became serious between the pair, according to commentators, because Andrew is Catholic and couldn’t technically marry the princess, as the royal family is part of the Church of England. Despite the break-up, they remained friends, and Andrew is godfather to her daughter Zara Tindall.

Read more: Princess Anne was ‘opposed’ to Camilla’s queen consort title as she’d ‘never be a true queen’

Meeting and marrying Captain Mark Phillips

Princess Anne met the man who became the first of her marriages in 1968 in Mexico City. Their love of horses drew them together and they were both accomplished equestrians. They hit it off after being introduced at an event and began dating.

Five years later, Mark proposed to the Princess Royal with a sapphire and diamond engagement ring.

When the pair were asked if their marriage could withstand public duty and publicity that the royal family suffer, Princess Anne quipped: “Can? It has got to, hasn’t it?”

After announcing their engagement in May, they tied the knot in a royal wedding that year, in 1973.

Despite being younger than King Charles, Princess Anne was the first of her siblings to tie the knot. She married Captain Phillips at Westminster Abbey, in a televised ceremony, and 1,500 guests. Around 500 million people tuned in around the world to watch the duo say their vows.

The bride chose a white high-necked gown featuring long trumpet sleeves and a seven-foot train. Her hair was pinned in an updo and she wore the same tiara her late mother Queen Elizabeth II wore at her own wedding to Prince Philip. To pair with the look, her wedding bouquet featured white roses and she wore large diamond earrings.
Princess Anne met Captain Phillips in Mexico City (Credit: SplashNews.com)

What happened to Princess Anne’s first marriage with Mark Phillips?

After tying the knot, the couple welcomed two children, son Peter Phillips in 1977 and daughter Zara Tindall (formerly Phillips) in 1981.

However, after 21 years together and 16 years of marriage, Princess Anne and Captain Phillips went their separate ways. It was later discovered that her husband had a child as a result of an affair in 1985.

Paternity tests confirmed in 1991 showed he fathered a love child with New Zealand art teacher, Heather Tonkin.

They were separated for a number of years but didn’t officially divorce until 1992 – the same year Charles split from Diana and Andrew divorced Sarah Ferguson.

Captain Phillips went on to marry a fellow equestrian Sandy Pflueger in 1997, and they had a daughter together. However, after 15 years they divorced. He began dating Lauren Hough, a showjumper.
Princess Anne and ex-husband Captain Mark Phillips remain friends despite going into separate marriages after their divorce (Credit: Zak Hussein/INFevents.com)

Is Mark Phillips a commoner?

Yes, Captain Mark Phillips was considered a commoner throughout his marriage to Princess Anne. Although he came from a ‘comfortable’ British military family, he wasn’t a part of any peerage or royalty.

He did not hold any title of nobility, such as a duke or earl. When he married the Princess Royal, it marked the second time in more than 200 years that a member of The Firm married a commoner.

Queen Elizabeth II had offered to make him an earl, which would have passed down to their children, but he and Anne declined the offer. As a result, Zara and Peter did not have royal titles.

Read more: King Charles’ touching relationship with sister Princess Anne is unmatched
The Princess Royal was the first member of The Firm to remarry since Henry VIII (Credit: Cover Images)

Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence

Princess Anne met the man of her second marriage in 1986, while she was still married to Captain Phillips.

Scandal surrounded the royal family when the duo were romantically linked before her official divorce from Phillips. In 1989, it came out they were exchanging letters, and they were later stolen from a briefcase and handed to the press.

People reported over the event: “Buckingham Palace has confirmed that one of the Queen’s equerries, Comdr. Timothy Laurence, 34, has written four intimate letters to Anne.”

The palace issued a statement at the time: “The stolen letters were addressed to the Princess Royal by Commander Timothy Laurence, the Queen’s Equerry. We have nothing to say about the contents of personal letters sent to Her Royal Highness by a friend which were stolen and which are the subject of a police investigation.”

In 1988, Tim was made a trustee on The Princess Anne’s Charities trust. Sources said at the time that it was a clear sign of the royal’s ‘affection’ for him. He remains on the board of trustees to this day and became it’s longest serving member.
Princess Anne’s relationship with Sir Timothy Laurence was made public after intimate letters were published (Credit: Mischa Schoemaker/Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images)

Keeping everything low-key before proposal

Despite her previous exes sharing a love of horses, Sir Laurence didn’t have his in common with Queen’s only daughter. In the documentary, Anne: The Princess Royal at 70, he explained: “She grew up with horses, horses have been part of her life, it’s not something I share with her.

“Sadly I’ve never been bitten by the horse bug.”

But they do share a love of rugby.

They kept their relationship low-key and private, by rarely stepping out together or being photographed. Sir Laurence then proposed to the Princess Royal in 1992 with a cabachon sapphire and diamond engagement ring.

By December of that year they had an intimate royal wedding, but the royal had to travel to Scotland due to an old royal rule.
Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence wed in Scotland because second marriages were not permitted by the Church of England (Credit: Splash News and Pictures)

Why was Princess Anne not allowed to marry?

Under the Church of England not permitting remarriages after divorce, Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence traveled to Crathie Kirk in Scotland to get married. It is near to the royal family’s Balmoral estate.

For her second marriage vows, Princess Anne chose a simple, elegant white suit. Instead of a veil, she opted for flowers in her hair. Daughter, Zara, who was Anne’s bridesmaid, joined other royals for the big day, including the late Queen, Prince Philip, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, Prince Edward and her son Peter. They only had 30 guests for the service.

Read more: Man convicted of kidnapping attempt on Princess Anne claims he’s ‘innocent’ 51 years later

Princess Anne also made history as becoming the second-ever British royal to have two marriages or to remarry. The first was the notorious King Henry VIII.

However, over time, the royal family and the church’s opinions on remarrying has adapted to be more aligned with modernity. Hence why King Charles and Queen Camilla not needing to travel to Scotland to tie the knot.

Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary in December 2024.