Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence reaffirmed their 44-year marriage at a rare joint engagement. This unique celebration occurred only days before the longtime honorary patron’s 75th birthday. The Whitakers, married 33 years, demonstrated their passion for sailing and each other on a beautiful ride Saturday morning. They went on to have a magnificent flypast from the Red Arrows as well!
It was appropriate that the day should begin with the couple from the Royal Yacht Squadron witnessing the official start to the Rolex Fastnet Race. Suffice it to say, Princess Anne has adopted her late father, Prince Philip’s mantle. In her time aboard, she has formed an unbreakable bond with the sea and sailing. She got her first taste of sailing on a Bloodhound yacht while visiting the Isle of Wight in 2021.
On their recent visit, Princess Anne looked fabulously chic in a cream jacket with navy piping, paired with matching dark blue trousers. All the while, Vice Admiral Laurence cut quite the figure in a blue jacket, khaki trousers, a white shirt and a bright yellow patterned tie.
The duo have spent his first pension years developing their – and our – passion for cruising in their Rustler 44 Ballochbuie among the beautiful waters and coastlines of Scotland. Once in May and once in August, they go on sailing trips — a new tradition that’s already been widely loved.
“For me it’s important to have time away and sailing really is time away. It gives you a complete change from anything you’re doing and from my perspective, having a boat on the west coast of Scotland gives me two things – time away and in an attractive area.” – Princess Anne
According to their friends, the happiest place for Princess Anne is to be at sea with him. This speaks to the nature of our marriage.
After all, the princess royal’s big milestone birthday is coming up on Aug. 15. To commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime event, she has supposedly mapped out a private trip with Laurence. Rumors have it that she’s going to spend ten days sailing alone. Afterwards, she will be received at home by her brother, His Majesty The King, at Balmoral.
“It speaks to their relationship. They go every May and August and have done it for years. How many couples could go out to sea that often, just the two of them, and still be speaking to each other? She loves it.” – A source close to the Princess
Beyond her home life, Princess Anne has remained deeply committed to her royal jobs, tirelessly taking on as many tasks as she can with amazing commitment. And now each year she continues with hundreds of engagements, seldom stopping, even on study leave, from her heavy responsibilities.
As she approaches this significant birthday, both Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Laurence appear ready to embrace their time together on the water, reflecting on their life together while looking forward to new adventures ahead.
