You’ve seen him. He’s the tall, silver-haired gentleman usually standing three steps behind the Princess Royal, looking like he’s ready to either give a military briefing or quietly solve a complex puzzle. He doesn’t seek the spotlight. He doesn’t give tell-all interviews to Oprah or write explosive memoirs. Yet, he has been the steady anchor for one of the most hardworking members of the British Royal Family for over three decades.
So, who is Princess Anne married to? The answer is Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, a man whose life is a masterclass in "acting, not talking." While the rest of the family has often been caught in a whirlwind of tabloid drama, Sir Tim—as he’s affectionately known—has managed to remain the royal family’s "invisible man," a title he probably quite enjoys.
The meeting that started with a stolen letter
Honestly, their origin story sounds like something straight out of a Cold War thriller. They didn't meet on a dating app or at a high-society ball. They met while Sir Tim was serving as an equerry to Queen Elizabeth II in the mid-1980s. At the time, Anne was still married to her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, though the marriage was famously frostier than a winter morning at Balmoral.
Then came the scandal. In 1989, The Sun newspaper announced it had obtained private, highly personal letters addressed to Princess Anne. They weren't from her husband. They were from Timothy Laurence.
The palace was in a frenzy. Scotland Yard was called in to investigate how the letters were stolen from Anne’s briefcase. While the letters were never published, the secret was out. Princess Anne and Mark Phillips announced their separation later that year.
👉 See also: Emily Ratajkowski and Ben Affleck: What Really Happened Between Them
A wedding the Church of England wouldn't allow
The road to the altar wasn't exactly paved with rose petals. Because Princess Anne was a divorcee, the Church of England—at the time—didn't allow people to remarry in their churches if their former spouse was still living.
Anne, being Anne, found a workaround.
She and Tim headed north to Scotland. On December 12, 1992, they had a small, private ceremony at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral. It was low-key. No massive carriage procession. No 100-million-person TV audience. Just about 30 guests and a bride in a simple white suit with flowers in her hair.
Why he’s the "Exceptional" Royal
Sir Timothy Laurence is technically not a "working royal." He doesn't have a massive list of patronages, and he doesn't get paid by the Sovereign Grant. He has his own career, having retired from the Royal Navy in 2010 after a distinguished 37-year run.
But here’s the kicker: he is the only non-working royal who regularly gets a "pass" to stand on the Buckingham Palace balcony during major events like Trooping the Colour.
Why? Because the late Queen Elizabeth II and now King Charles III both realized how vital he is. He is Princess Anne’s primary support system. He travels with her on grueling tours—like their 2024 trip to Sri Lanka or their visits to Australia—and handles the logistics while she handles the handshakes.
Recent Honors and 2026 Status
As we move through 2026, Sir Tim's status within the family has only grown. Just last year, King Charles III promoted him to Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO). This is a huge deal. It’s the highest honor the King can give for personal service to the monarchy. It puts him on the same "honorary" level as Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales.
A marriage built on "Comfortable Chaos"
A few years ago, a photo of Anne and Tim went viral. It wasn't a glitzy portrait. It was the two of them in their living room at Gatcombe Park, surrounded by stacks of books, dog toys, and old-school TV sets.
People loved it. It looked like a real home.
Expert body language analysts (and people who just watch the royals way too much) often point out that while they aren't "touchy-feely" in public, they have a shorthand. Tim is the guy who knows exactly when Anne needs a break or a joke to lighten the mood after a 15-engagement week.
🔗 Read more: Where Is Nicole Kidman From? What Most People Get Wrong
- Full Name: Vice Admiral Sir Timothy James Hamilton Laurence
- Birth Date: March 1, 1955
- Children: None (but a very close stepfather to Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall)
- Home Base: Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire
What people get wrong about Sir Tim
Most people assume that because he’s married to a Princess, he’s just a "plus-one." That’s a mistake. He’s incredibly accomplished in his own right. He’s the Chairman of the Science Museum Group and has spent years working on property regeneration and heritage projects.
He’s also famously frugal and down-to-earth. You’re as likely to see him carrying his own bags at an airport as you are to see him in full naval regalia at a state banquet.
Moving forward with Sir Tim
If you're following the British Royal Family, keep an eye on the background of the photos. Sir Timothy Laurence is usually there, subtly making sure everything runs smoothly. He’s the blueprint for how to join the firm without losing your soul—or your privacy.
Takeaways for Royal Watchers:
📖 Related: Where Does Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively Live: Their Real Estate Moves Explained
- The "Support" Role: Understand that Tim’s value is in his stability, not his title.
- Protocol: Notice how he is often the only non-working royal at major events; this signifies the King’s personal trust.
- Career Balance: He is a great example of maintaining a professional identity (Navy, Science Museum) while being part of a high-profile family.
Next time you see the Princess Royal on the news, look for the man with the military posture and the slight, knowing smile. That’s the guy who has been making the hardest-working royal’s life a lot easier for the last 34 years.
To get a better sense of their daily life, you might want to look into the history of Gatcombe Park, the private country estate where they spend most of their time away from the London cameras.