Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Lawrence married more than three decades ago in December 1992.
They met when Timothy served as an equerry for Anne’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, which he began in 1986.
Two relationship experts gave their verdict on why the couple have stayed so content despite the pressures of the royal spotlight and the typical problems that couples face.
According to two relationship experts, the success of their marriage can be attributed to Anne’s fun personality.
Indeed, they cited her “sense of humour” as the “key to her long marriage”.
Fellow love and relationships guru Heather Garbutt claimed that Anne’s jovial personality and ability to make light of situations serves her well in marriage.
She commented: “Long-term partners in their 50s and over often tend to grow apart, once the children have left the nest.
“Resentments may have been bubbling for years and finally come to a head, either partner may feel that their needs or direction has changed and they’re no longer satisfied in their relationship or the spark may have long since fizzled out.”
She suggested that family stress can break a couple in some circumstances, and Anne lost both her parents in recent years.
Heather claimed: “Princess Anne and her second husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, who marked their 30th wedding anniversary back in December, have had to face many heartbreaks and family stress over the years.
“However, whilst this can tear some relationships apart, the couple have stuck firmly together and I believe that Anne’s ability and willingness to laugh and joke amidst her Royal duties – sharing the same sense of humour as her beloved late mother the Queen – shows that she is fun to be around and no doubt is relaxed and at ease at home and within her marriage”.
Nia Williams, also known as The Date Doctor, and Heather Garbutt, are both relationship experts.
