Sir Timothy Laurence, the 68-year-old retired Royal Navy officer and husband of Princess Anne, deserves congratulations for assuming the noteworthy position of patron for the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), the leading global organization dedicated to enhancing maritime search and rescue capabilities. Founded in 1924, the IMRF has a longstanding commitment to reducing maritime fatalities, having gained non-governmental consultative status in 1985 and later achieving independent charity status in 2007. In this role, Sir Timothy is following in the footsteps of Sir Efthimios Mitropoulos, the Secretary-General Emeritus of the International Maritime Organization, who concluded his more than decade-long tenure earlier this year.
In his fresh role, Sir Timothy will contribute to the promotion of the remarkable efforts carried out by the IMRF and maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) organizations globally.
Regarding his recent undertaking, he expressed, “I am deeply honored to be designated as the new Patron of the IMRF, and I eagerly anticipate collaborating closely with the organization, its members, and SAR personnel across the world to further the mission of enhancing safety at sea.”
Simultaneously, Jacob Tas, who chairs the IMRF, conveyed, “I am pleased to announce that Sir Tim Laurence has graciously accepted our invitation to assume the position of the new Patron of the IMRF.”
His extensive service with the UK’s Royal Navy and his unwavering commitment to public service make him an outstanding advocate for the IMRF’s worldwide initiatives and the vital role of maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) organizations on a global scale.
The former equerry of the late Queen had a distinguished career within the UK’s Royal Navy, where he assumed numerous significant positions, including serving as Deputy Chairman of the RNLI Board and Chairing the Operations Committee of the UK’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Princess Anne encountered her spouse in 1986 aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, where Sir Timothy was fulfilling the role of a commander within the Royal Navy.
Throughout their association, the pair developed a strong bond and shared “private correspondence,” which reportedly went missing in 1989.
After Princess Anne’s divorce from her initial spouse, Mark Phillips, Anne and Timothy made their public debut as a couple at the Royal Caledonian Ball.
Their relationship quickly blossomed into a passionate romance, leading to Sir Timothy’s proposal shortly thereafter, marked by the presentation of a stunning sapphire and diamond engagement ring.
They proceeded to tie the knot at Crathie Kirk church in Scotland in December 1992, with a modest gathering of only 30 attendees. In contrast to the Church of England’s stance at that time, the Church of Scotland regarded marriage as a religious ordinance rather than a sacrament, allowing the remarriage of divorced individuals under specific conditions.
On her special day, Princess Anne appeared stunning in a high-neck midi dress, complemented by an elegant white jacket and black court shoes. In the meantime, Sir Timothy exuded a polished demeanor in his Royal Navy uniform.
