Timothy Laurence, now the second husband of Princess Anne, was born 1st March 1955 in South London, into a middle-class but not aristocratic family, his father being a salesman for a naval manufacturing local business. He is now most commonly known as Tim Laurence. He is, officially a commoner, but Tim Laurence’s family, although untitled, are wealthy. He attended the fee-paying Sevenoaks School after preparatory school and later was awarded a naval scholarship to study Geography at Durham University, as he had long aspired to a naval career. He obtained an upper second class degree in Geography.
Timothy Laurence started his naval career as a midshipman in 1973 and later he was promoted through the British naval officer ranks and Navigating Officer, working on two of the Royal Yachts including Britannia, after which he was promoted to the title of Lieutenant-Commander in 1985 and later to Commander, when he became the Queen’s Equerry, a position he held from 1986-1989. This was seen as a just reward for years of loyal service to the Queen and other members of the British Royal Family in his official capacity on board the Royal yachts.
Timothy Laurence also received the distinction of serving as a Hudson Visiting Fellow at St. Anthony College, when he was promoted to Commodore, serving as an Assistant Commandant for the Joint Services Command. This was how he met his future wife, Princess Anne, whom he married in December, 1992. After a courtship last approximately two years, the couple married in a simple ceremony in Craithie Parish Church on the Queen’s Balmoral Royal Estate, in Scotland. This was the Princess’ second marriage, as she had first been married to Captain Mark Phillips with whom she had children and later divorced from. This was why the wedding took place at Craithie as the Church of Scotland permits the re-marriage if divorced people whereas the Church of England does not.
The couple have no children of their own, although he is stepfather to her now grown up children. The pair prefer to live their life as much as possible outside of the media spotlight.
Timothy Laurence did not receive any peerage as a result of this marriage, even if the two later moved to live in Buckingham Palace, their relationship thus apparently receiving the Royal seal of approval from the Queen. Their new life together was to be started in the Princess’ residence in London. They later returned to the Palace to live. However, it is interesting to note that Timothy Laurence was not conferred the title of His Royal Highness, upon his marriage to Princess Anne.
In 1995 he became Captain of HMS Cumberland, and the following year he captained a squadron of five other frigates on various naval duties, including official patrols in the South Atlantic.
Aside from his marriage to Princess Anne, the life of Timothy Laurence is centred on the military activity and notably upon the naval Royal functions he has been charged with since. His activity as a naval commander as well as his early naval military functions are the proof of a career exercised with dedication. Timothy Laurence has served as the Royal Navy’s Vice-Admiral since 2007. He is now the British Chief Executive in matters of Defence. He has undertaken several official duties serving for the British Ministry of Defence.
- Full Name: Timothy James Hamilton Laurence
- Father: Guy Stewart Laurence
- Mother: Barbara Alison Laurence
- Born: 1st March, 1955 in Camberwell, South London
- Married: 12th December 1992
- Children: None
