Sir Timothy Laurence and Princess Anne celebrate 33 years of marriage today, having had their wedding back in 1992.

In 2020, Sir Timothy spoke of his relationship with the Princess Royal, in which he made a joke about her ex-husband, Captain Mark Phillips.
Timothy Laurence and Princess Anne have been married over 30 years (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Sir Timothy Laurence on Princess Anne and the royal family

Speaking in an ITV documentary that was broadcast in 2020 ahead of Anne’s 70th birthday, Sir Timothy spoke of the “humour” and “laughter” in the royal family.

“One of the great surprises for me, when I first went to Balmoral and to Sandringham and Windsor, was that these places are full of laughter,” he said.

‘The similarities with her [Princess Anne’s] father are much talked about, but what is less spoken about is the similarities with her mother, the Queen… the common theme is humour, fun.”

In the interview, Sir Timothy spoke of the similarities between himself and Anne.

“We are both map and chart people. We like to know where we are and see where we are going. We both follow, with great enthusiasm, the Scottish rugby team… as you may have noticed they don’t always win,” he said.

“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.”

Sir Timothy spoke about Anne in an interview (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Sir Timothy Laurence jokes about Anne’s first husband

The interview also saw Sir Timothy make a joke about Anne’s first husband, Captain Mark Phillips.

Captain Phillips had been a Second Lieutenant in the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1971. By the time of his wedding to Anne in 1973, he was acting as Captain. He was promoted to Personal aide-de-camp to Queen Elizabeth II in 1974, and promoted to Captain in 1975. He retired from the army in 1978.

Anne and Mark welcomed two children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall. They announced their separation in 1989 before divorcing in 1992.

So there must be something about the military that attracts her.

Speaking in the documentary, Sir Timothy 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.”

Peter and Zara also appeared in the documentary, praising Sir Timothy.

“They both have an understanding of what being a part of the wider family means and what is required,” Peter said.

“He’s been a very strong support for [my mother].”
Anne and Timothy released their Christmas card (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Key detail of Anne and Timothy’s Christmas card

Earlier this week, Anne and Timothy released their annual Christmas card.

The card featured a picture of the couple riding a carriage during their visit to Sark as the Channel Islands marked Liberation Day in May.

It was taken by Aaron Chown. You can see it here.

The message inside the card reads: “With Best Wishes for a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year from Anne and Tim.”

Fans have praised how Anne didn’t use her royal title in the card.

“No need to blow the trumpet with the princess title and yet impactful. I like it!” one said on X.

“Beautiful card. Such a lovely photo of them both. Love that Tim’s name is also on the card,” another said.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said: “Anne needs no one to blow a trumpet for her. The informal photograph of her and her husband in a delightfully bucolic setting sets the tone for the simple greetings from ‘Anne’ and ‘Tim’.”

As Sir Timothy Laurence and Princess Anne mark another wedding anniversary, attention has turned not just to the longevity of their relationship, but to a rare moment of humour that has resurfaced in royal circles: a joke Sir Timothy once made about his wife’s first marriage. In a family often associated with formality and restraint, the remark stands out for its warmth, self-awareness, and the quiet confidence that defines their partnership. It offers a glimpse into one of the most private yet enduring royal marriages, revealing how honesty, humour, and mutual respect have shaped a bond that has lasted for decades.

Princess Anne, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, has always occupied a unique position within the royal family. Known for her work ethic, blunt honesty, and refusal to be constrained by convention, she has never attempted to fit neatly into expectations placed upon her. Her personal life, including her first marriage to Captain Mark Phillips, was lived under intense public scrutiny, and its eventual breakdown became one of the earliest high-profile royal divorces of the modern era. For many, it marked a shift in how the monarchy confronted personal failure and change.

When Anne married Captain Mark Phillips in 1973, the union was greeted with enormous public enthusiasm. The wedding was watched by millions around the world, symbolising a fairy-tale romance between an Olympic equestrian and a princess who seemed determined to carve her own path. Yet behind the spectacle, the marriage faced challenges that grew more pronounced over time. Their demanding careers, contrasting personalities, and the pressure of public life created strains that eventually proved insurmountable.

By the time Anne and Phillips divorced in 1992, the royal family was undergoing a period of profound upheaval. That year alone saw the breakdown of three royal marriages, prompting the Queen to famously describe it as her “annus horribilis.” Anne’s divorce, while painful, was notable for the dignity with which both parties handled it. There were no public accusations or dramatic revelations, only a quiet acknowledgement that the marriage had come to an end.

It was during this transitional period that Sir Timothy Laurence entered Anne’s life in a more defined way. A naval officer known for his discretion and professionalism, Laurence had met Anne through his work as an equerry to Queen Elizabeth II. Their relationship developed gradually, away from the spotlight, grounded in shared values rather than public expectation. When they married in December 1992, it was a markedly different occasion from Anne’s first wedding, held quietly in Scotland with limited media presence.

Over the years, Sir Timothy has earned a reputation as one of the most understated royal spouses. He does not seek attention, rarely gives interviews, and has never attempted to redefine Anne’s role or overshadow her identity. Instead, he has supported her work with quiet consistency, appearing by her side at engagements without fanfare. Their marriage has often been cited as one of the most stable within the royal family, precisely because it operates outside the glare of constant publicity.

It is against this backdrop that Sir Timothy’s joke about Anne’s first marriage takes on significance. While the exact wording has been recounted in different ways, the essence of the remark reflects a light-hearted acknowledgment of the past rather than an attempt to erase it. At a private gathering or informal moment, Sir Timothy is said to have made a wry comment about being “the second time lucky,” a phrase that carries both humour and humility. The joke was not at the expense of Anne’s former husband, nor was it dismissive of her past, but instead conveyed an acceptance that life is shaped by experience, not defined by mistakes.

Those who know the couple have often remarked on their shared sense of humour, which tends to be dry, understated, and free from sentimentality. Princess Anne herself has never shied away from acknowledging her past openly, speaking candidly in interviews about the realities of marriage, commitment, and personal growth. Sir Timothy’s ability to joke about her first marriage suggests a relationship built on trust and emotional maturity, where neither partner feels threatened by history.

As they celebrate their wedding anniversary, the resurfacing of this anecdote has prompted renewed appreciation for how Anne and Sir Timothy have navigated life together. Unlike more publicly expressive royal couples, they do not rely on grand gestures or public declarations of affection. Their bond is evident instead in consistency: decades of shared routines, mutual respect, and unwavering support for one another’s independence.

Princess Anne’s approach to marriage has always been pragmatic rather than idealistic. She has spoken before about the importance of compatibility, shared purpose, and understanding the realities of one another’s lives. In Sir Timothy, she found a partner who respected her autonomy and did not expect her to conform to a predefined role. That mutual understanding has allowed their marriage to endure without drama or public strain.

The joke about Anne’s first marriage also reflects a broader cultural shift within the monarchy. Where once divorce was treated as a scandal to be buried, it is now acknowledged as part of human experience. Anne’s life, in many ways, paved the way for later generations of royals to navigate personal challenges with greater honesty. Sir Timothy’s humour signals comfort with that evolution, an understanding that the past does not need to be denied in order for the present to be meaningful.

Their anniversary celebrations themselves are typically low-key affairs, consistent with the couple’s preference for privacy. Rather than lavish public events, they are more likely to mark the occasion quietly, perhaps at their Gloucestershire home or during a brief break from official duties. This understated approach has become a hallmark of their marriage, reinforcing the sense that their relationship exists primarily for themselves rather than for public consumption.

Royal watchers often contrast Anne and Sir Timothy’s marriage with more turbulent royal relationships, noting how their lack of spectacle has contributed to its stability. There have been no public rifts, no tabloid-driven controversies, and no need for image management. Their marriage does not rely on constant reaffirmation, because it is grounded in something more durable than public approval.

Sir Timothy’s joke, then, is not merely a humorous aside, but a reflection of the comfort and confidence within their relationship. It suggests a partnership where both individuals are secure enough to acknowledge past chapters without insecurity or resentment. In a family where personal history is often scrutinized relentlessly, that level of ease is no small achievement.

Princess Anne’s first marriage remains a significant part of her life story, not because it failed, but because it shaped who she became. It taught her about compromise, resilience, and the importance of honesty in relationships. Sir Timothy’s willingness to reference that chapter with humour indicates that he understands its role in Anne’s journey and respects the person she is because of it.

As the years have passed, Anne and Sir Timothy have continued to present a united front, supporting one another through changing royal dynamics, evolving public expectations, and the inevitable challenges of aging. Their marriage has weathered shifts in the monarchy itself, from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II to that of King Charles III, without losing its sense of quiet stability.

The public’s fascination with royal relationships often centres on drama and romance, but Anne and Sir Timothy offer a different narrative, one defined by steadiness and mutual regard. Their story reminds observers that enduring partnerships are often built not on perfection, but on understanding, acceptance, and the ability to laugh together at life’s complexities.

As they celebrate another anniversary, Sir Timothy’s joke serves as a small but telling symbol of their bond. It encapsulates a relationship where the past is neither denied nor weaponised, but simply acknowledged as part of a shared story. In doing so, it highlights why their marriage has lasted when so many others, royal or otherwise, have faltered.

In a world where public figures are often pressured to present flawless narratives, Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence stand out for their authenticity. Their marriage does not pretend that life has been simple or linear, but it demonstrates that happiness can be found when two people meet each other with honesty and humour. The joke about Anne’s first marriage, far from being insensitive, underscores a partnership confident enough to embrace the full scope of lived experience.

Ultimately, their anniversary is not just a celebration of years spent together, but of the values that have sustained them: respect, discretion, and a shared understanding that love is not diminished by the past. As Sir Timothy and Princess Anne continue their journey together, their story remains a quiet testament to the strength of second chances, and to the power of humour in forging a lasting bond.

As the anniversary quietly passes, marked not by spectacle but by shared understanding, what becomes most striking is how little Sir Timothy Laurence and Princess Anne feel the need to explain themselves to the world. Their marriage does not demand applause, nor does it rely on carefully curated images to prove its worth. Instead, it exists in the spaces between public moments, in the ease of familiarity, and in the calm confidence that comes from knowing who you are and who you have chosen to stand beside. The joke Sir Timothy once made about Anne’s first marriage lingers not because it was provocative, but because it revealed something deeply human about a relationship often misunderstood from the outside.

Humour, particularly of the understated kind, is rarely accidental. It emerges only where there is trust, where the past no longer feels like a threat, and where honesty is not something to be feared. In referencing Anne’s first marriage with a light touch, Sir Timothy demonstrated not only acceptance but emotional security, an understanding that love does not erase history, but grows from it. The joke was not about dismissal or comparison, but about continuity, about acknowledging that life is rarely linear and that happiness often arrives through experience rather than innocence.

For Princess Anne, whose life has unfolded under relentless observation, this kind of ease is perhaps the most valuable gift of all. From an early age, she learned to carry herself with resilience, to withstand scrutiny without bending to it, and to maintain a sense of self that did not rely on public approval. Her first marriage, though entered into with optimism, taught her difficult lessons about compatibility, independence, and the limits of endurance. Those lessons did not weaken her; they refined her. And in Sir Timothy, she found someone who did not require her to pretend otherwise.

Their relationship exists in contrast to the narrative expectations often placed upon royal marriages. There are no illusions of fairy-tale perfection, no insistence that love must look a certain way to be valid. Instead, there is mutual respect, shared humour, and a deep appreciation for privacy. Sir Timothy has never sought to rewrite Anne’s story or position himself as a corrective to her past. He has simply joined it, bringing with him a steadiness that complements her strength rather than competing with it.

As time has passed, their marriage has quietly become one of the monarchy’s most enduring partnerships, not because it avoids difficulty, but because it navigates it without drama. The joke about Anne’s first marriage is emblematic of this approach. It acknowledges reality without bitterness, accepts history without resentment, and allows both partners to stand in the present without being shadowed by what came before. In a family where the past is often treated as something to be managed or softened for public consumption, this honesty feels almost radical.

There is also something profoundly equal in the way their relationship functions. Sir Timothy does not define himself through Anne’s title, nor does Anne diminish herself to accommodate her role as a wife. They exist alongside one another rather than in hierarchy, each retaining a strong sense of individual identity. This balance has allowed their marriage to mature without the strain of expectation, growing deeper rather than more performative as the years pass.

The passing of time has only reinforced the wisdom of this approach. As the royal family has navigated moments of upheaval, transition, and loss, Anne and Sir Timothy have remained a constant presence, reliable without being rigid, supportive without being intrusive. Their shared life has unfolded through routine rather than reinvention, and in that consistency lies its strength.

The resurfacing of Sir Timothy’s joke serves as a reminder that intimacy does not always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it reveals itself in the ability to laugh at complexity, to reference the past without fear, and to understand that love is not diminished by comparison. It suggests a relationship in which neither partner feels the need to compete with ghosts or rewrite history to feel secure.

Princess Anne’s first marriage will always be part of her story, not as a failure, but as a chapter that shaped her understanding of partnership and independence. Sir Timothy’s ease in acknowledging that chapter reflects a maturity that few relationships achieve, royal or otherwise. It speaks to a confidence that does not require denial, only acceptance.

As anniversaries accumulate, their significance often shifts. What begins as a celebration of commitment becomes, over time, a reflection on endurance. For Anne and Sir Timothy, each passing year represents not just time spent together, but challenges navigated, growth achieved, and a shared language developed through lived experience. Their bond is not defined by grand moments, but by accumulated trust.

In the end, the joke is remembered not because it was amusing, but because it was revealing. It offered a glimpse into a marriage built on realism rather than idealism, on respect rather than romance alone. It showed that the past can be acknowledged without being relived, and that love, when grounded in honesty, does not fear comparison.

As they continue their lives together, largely out of the spotlight, Sir Timothy Laurence and Princess Anne embody a version of partnership that feels increasingly rare. One that does not perform for validation, does not seek to erase imperfection, and does not pretend that life unfolds without detours. Their story reminds us that second chances are not about correction, but about understanding, and that sometimes the strongest relationships are those confident enough to laugh gently at the road already travelled.

In that sense, their anniversary is less about marking time and more about recognising the quiet success of a life shared without pretence. The humour, the restraint, and the mutual respect that define their marriage stand as a testament to the idea that love does not need to be flawless to be enduring. It only needs to be honest.

As the years pass and anniversaries accumulate quietly rather than loudly, what endures most strongly in the marriage between Sir Timothy Laurence and Princess Anne is not the absence of difficulty, but the presence of understanding. Their relationship does not rest on the illusion that life has been simple or that love has been untouched by disappointment. Instead, it exists because both partners have learned how to sit with complexity, how to acknowledge the past without being ruled by it, and how to move forward without pretending that earlier chapters never existed. The gentle joke Sir Timothy once made about Anne’s first marriage resonates precisely because it reveals this shared emotional fluency, an ease that can only exist when two people feel safe in the truth of one another.

Time has a way of softening sharp edges, but it also has a way of clarifying what truly matters. In the early years of Anne’s life, everything was magnified by public expectation. Her first marriage unfolded under the glare of global attention, shaped as much by symbolism as by personal connection. Its end was watched just as closely, analysed and interpreted in ways that left little room for nuance. Yet within that highly public narrative was a private experience of learning, disappointment, and growth that only Anne herself could fully understand. When Sir Timothy entered her life, he did so without trying to rewrite that history or compete with it. He accepted it as part of who she was, not something to be corrected or diminished.

That acceptance is the quiet foundation upon which their marriage stands. Sir Timothy’s humour does not trivialise Anne’s past; it normalises it. It removes the sense of taboo that often surrounds divorce, particularly within institutions that prize continuity and tradition. By joking gently about being “the second time lucky,” he acknowledges that love can arrive more than once, that it can deepen rather than weaken with experience, and that maturity often brings a clearer understanding of what partnership truly requires.

For Anne, whose identity has always been defined by independence and purpose rather than sentimentality, this approach aligns naturally with who she is. She has never framed her life in terms of romantic mythology. Her understanding of marriage has always been grounded in reality, shaped by the knowledge that commitment is sustained not by spectacle, but by compatibility and mutual respect. Sir Timothy’s presence complements that worldview rather than challenging it, offering companionship without constraint and loyalty without possession.

Their shared life unfolds largely away from public commentary, and that distance has allowed their relationship to breathe. There is no pressure to perform affection, no need to reassure observers of stability. Their bond is evident in subtle ways, in shared routines, in the way they move comfortably alongside one another without seeking attention. This quiet confidence is rare, particularly within a family where relationships are often scrutinised as symbols rather than lived experiences.

The joke that resurfaces now, years later, feels less like an anecdote and more like a window into that private world. It suggests a marriage where both partners are emotionally secure enough to acknowledge history without fear. It reflects an understanding that love does not erase the past, but incorporates it, allowing experience to inform rather than undermine connection. In this sense, humour becomes not just levity, but evidence of trust.

As anniversaries are marked with increasing frequency, their meaning evolves. They are no longer about celebration alone, but about recognition. Recognition of the years spent navigating life together, of the challenges weathered, and of the choices made daily to continue forward as a unit. For Anne and Sir Timothy, these milestones are not opportunities for reflection on what might have been, but affirmations of what is.

Their marriage also stands as a quiet counterpoint to the idea that second marriages are inherently lesser or more fragile. In their case, experience has brought clarity rather than caution. Having lived through the pressures of expectation and the reality of incompatibility, Anne entered her second marriage with a clearer sense of self and a firmer understanding of her needs. Sir Timothy met her there, not as a saviour or solution, but as a partner equally comfortable with her strength and her history.

The broader significance of their relationship lies not in its royal status, but in its relatability. It reflects a truth many people recognise but rarely see represented: that enduring partnerships are often built later, once illusions have been shed and priorities clarified. That love can be quieter, steadier, and more resilient when it is grounded in acceptance rather than idealism.

Sir Timothy’s humour encapsulates this truth elegantly. It does not romanticise the past, nor does it diminish it. It acknowledges it as part of a shared story, one that does not threaten the present but enriches it. In doing so, it reflects a partnership confident enough to stand without denial or defensiveness.

As the public continues to observe royal relationships through lenses shaped by tradition and expectation, Anne and Sir Timothy quietly defy categorisation. Their marriage does not fit the narrative of fairy-tale romance or dramatic reinvention. Instead, it offers something far more enduring: a model of companionship rooted in respect, realism, and emotional maturity.

In the end, their anniversary is not simply a measure of time, but a testament to the strength of understanding built through lived experience. The joke that once raised a smile now serves as a reminder that love does not require erasure of the past to thrive. It requires only honesty, kindness, and the courage to accept one another fully, history included.

As they continue forward together, largely beyond the reach of public commentary, Sir Timothy Laurence and Princess Anne embody a version of partnership that feels quietly radical in its simplicity. One where humour softens memory, respect anchors commitment, and love endures not because it is untouched by difficulty, but because it has learned how to live alongside it.