Sir Tim Laurence, the stepfather of Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, recently celebrated his 70th birthday, marking a significant milestone in a life dedicated to both family and service. Born on March 1, 1955, Laurence has played a pivotal role in the British royal family and the Royal Navy, shaping his identity through education, military service, and close personal relationships.
Laurence's academic journey began at New Beacon Preparatory School in Sevenoaks and continued at Sevenoaks School. He went on to attend University College in Durham, where he graduated with a second-class honours degree in geography, all while on a naval scholarship. His commitment to the Royal Navy began in 1973 when he joined as a midshipman. Just four years later, he was promoted to Lieutenant, following in the footsteps of his father, who served as a Commander.
In his naval career, Laurence commanded several ships and ultimately retired from service in 2010, achieving the rank of Vice Admiral. Notably, he briefly served on the royal family's yacht, HMY Britannia. His loyalty and dedication to duty were further exemplified during his time as equerry to Queen Elizabeth II from 1986 to 1989, where he met Princess Anne. The couple married on December 12, 1992, and celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary last December.
As a stepfather to Anne's children, Laurence developed a close relationship with Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall. Despite not having children together with Anne, he shares a strong bond with them. Phillips has remarked on Laurence's connection with their family, stating, "She grew up with horses, horses have been part of her life; it's not something I share with her, and sadly, I've never been bitten with the horse bug."
Laurence also revealed insights into his relationship with Princess Anne. He stated, "The similarities with Princess Anne's father [Prince Philip] are much talked about, but what is less spoken about is the similarities with her mother, the Queen [Elizabeth II]. The common theme is humour, fun." This reflects the light-hearted nature that characterizes their family gatherings.
He further expressed his delight in discovering the joyful atmosphere within royal residences. "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. Additionally, Laurence shares a mutual interest in sports with Anne, particularly Scottish rugby. "We both follow with great enthusiasm the Scottish rugby team," he noted.
