Royal Succession: The Princess Royal
Princess Anne, Mark Phillips and Zara Tindall
Ladies and gentlemen, in our sixth post for our series of the “Royal Line of Succession”, I present the next family in line to the throne – Princess Anne and her children! The sixteenth in line to the throne is Princess Anne aka The Princess Royal, and here's a little peek at her beautiful family. It is important to note that if any of the previous families in the line of succession have more children, they will come before Princess Anne in the line of succession.
Princess Anne, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was born on August 15, 1950. She grew up as a typical royal, attending prestigious schools such as Benenden School and Gordonstoun, where she excelled in sports. However, it was her love of horses that truly set her apart. She became an accomplished equestrian, winning a silver medal at the 1975 European Championships and a gold medal at the 1971 European Eventing Championships.
In 1973, Princess Anne met a handsome army officer named Mark Phillips, who was also an accomplished equestrian. The two fell in love and were married in a grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey on November 14, 1973. The couple had two children together, Peter Phillips, born in 1977, and Zara Tindall, born in 1981.
Despite their shared love of horses, Princess Anne and Mark Phillips' marriage was not without its problems. In 1989, the couple announced their separation and divorced in 1992. However, they remained on good terms and continued to co-parent their children.
It was during this time that Princess Anne met her second husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, a naval officer who served as Equerry to the Queen. The two had known each other for several years, but it wasn't until after Princess Anne's divorce that their relationship turned romantic. They were married on December 12, 1992, in a private ceremony at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral Castle.
Sir Timothy Laurence, who was born in 1955, had a distinguished naval career, serving in the Royal Navy for over 30 years. He rose to the rank of Rear Admiral and was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 2007. As the husband of Princess Anne, he took on numerous charitable and official duties, accompanying her on official visits both at home and abroad.
Although Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence did not have any children together, they have remained a devoted couple, celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary in 2022. Their love and commitment to each other are a testament to the strength of their relationship.
As for Princess Anne's children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall have grown up to be accomplished individuals in their own right. Peter, who was the first grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip and the seventeenth in line to the throne, has worked in the corporate world, serving as managing director of sports and entertainment agency SEL UK. Zara, like her mother, is an accomplished equestrian, winning a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, and is the twentieth in line to the throne behind Peter’s children.
In conclusion, the lives of Princess Anne, Mark Phillips, Sir Timothy Laurence, and their children are a fascinating part of royal history. From Princess Anne's love of horses to her two marriages and her children's accomplishments, this family has left an indelible mark on the world. We wish them all the best for the future and look forward to seeing what the next generation of the royal family will achieve.
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