Princess Anne was not giving anything away on the state of her second marriage yesterday. The Queen’s only daughter, who married Commodore Tim Laurence in December 1992, was carrying out royal duties in Birmingham and Oxfordshire and, despite the sizzling heat, looked calm and relaxed as she chatted to people.
On Monday, a British newspaper claimed that the royal couple were living separate lives – the last time Tim and Anne were seen together in public was at Windsor on Easter Sunday, where the two attended church with members of the royal family.
Tim, a former equerry is currently in charge of the Navy section of the combined Staff College in Wiltshire, which trains officers from all three Armed Forces. At the end of the month, however, he is due to take up a new posting at the Ministry of Defence in London, so he will be spending most of his time at an apartment in St James’s Palace.
Princess Anne spends most of her time at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, where she runs the shoot, while her ex-husband, Captain Mark Phillips runs the farm.
It is doubtful that the couple would separate, as it is thought that the Queen, who has seen three of her four children’s marriages end in divorce, would not tolerate a fourth. It is thought that she is urging the two to patch up their differences.
Tim therefore will be at his wife’s side tomorrow, as she is appointed Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s highest order of chivalry, for her good works. Her mother will be bestowing the honour on her.
The Queen, who has seen three of her four children divorce, is said to be encouraging the couple to patch up their differences
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Commodore Laurence has not been seen at his wife's side recently (she was pictured at Ascot with old friend Andrew Parker Bowles), but he will be with her Wednesday when she receives a special honour from the Queen for her good works
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Anne and Tim, who married at Craithie church, near Balmoral, in 1992, are now reported to be leading separate lives
Photo: © Alphapress.com
