On 12th December 1992, The Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence married in a small ceremony at Crathie Kirk, near to Balmoral.
Today marks their 30th wedding anniversary, so in turn we’re re-winding back to 1992 to take a look a their low-key wedding day.
The couple met when Timothy was a commander in the Royal Navy serving on the Royal Yacht Britannia. Their relationship developed in 1989, which was three years after he was appointed as an equerry to the Queen.
Happy 25th (silver) wedding anniversary to Princess Anne and Sir Tim Lawrence! The couple married at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral in a small family ceremony pic.twitter.com/SQh7ixh1OO
— The Crown Chronicles (@crownchronicles) December 12, 2017
On their engagement, the Princess received a sapphire ring. This one is a blue cabochon stone flanked by three small diamonds on each side, set on a yellow gold band. It is a simple ring, given a lift of uniqueness with the sapphire – well-suited to the no-nonsense, low-maintenance Royal.
Princess Anne’s engagement ring features a cabochon sapphire and six small diamonds flanking it. (UK in Phillipines, TCC edit)
Anne and Tim married at Crathie Kirk. The church is near Balmoral Castle in Scotland, the late Queen’s Scottish retreat built by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
The couple had to take their vows outside of England as the Church of England did not permit remarrying, with Princess Anne having married Mark Phillips in 1973, and their divorce being finalised in 1992.
Commander Tim Laurence and Princess Anne smile after their marriage at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral in December 1992
The Duke of Edinburgh drove his daughter to church in a Land Rover.
They invited approximately 30 guests the private service. Despite the low-key affair, the crowds still turned out to wish the newlyweds well. The guest list included Anne’s parents, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, her children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, as well as her brothers, the then-Prince of Wales and The Duke of York.
For the occasion, Princess Anne didn’t opt for a traditional gown, instead wearing a high neck shift-style dress with a white jacket. She paired the look with black shoes and carried a small bunch of heather for her bouquet, which matched the flowers in her hair; the flower symbolises good luck.
Tim Laurence wore his naval uniform for the occasion.
As the couple left the church, bagpipes were playing, in ode to the Scottish location.
The newlyweds had a post-ceremony celebration at Craigowan Lodge on the Balmoral estate.
Happy 29th wedding anniversary to Princess Anne & Sir Tim Laurence! 🥳
The Princess Royal and the Vice Admiral married otd in 1992 at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral Castle. It was a private ceremony attended by 30 guests. Their reception was held at to Craigowan Lodge, Balmoral pic.twitter.com/EvVQaSksJI
— CoutureAndRoyals (@CoutureRoyals) December 12, 2021
