Timothy Laurence facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vice Admiral
Sir Timothy Laurence
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Laurence in 2023
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| Born | 1 March 1955 Camberwell, London, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1973–2011 |
| Commands held | Chief Executive, Defence Estates (2007–2010) HMS Montrose (1996) HMS Cumberland (1995–1996) HMS Boxer (1990–1992) HMS Cygnet (1982–1983) |
| Battles/wars | NATO intervention in Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Companion of the Order of the Bath Mentioned in Despatches Companion of the Order of the Star of Melanesia (Papua New Guinea) |
| Alma mater | University College, Durham |
| Spouse(s) | |
Vice Admiral Sir Timothy James Hamilton Laurence, born on March 1, 1955, is a retired officer from the Royal Navy. He is married to Anne, Princess Royal, who is the only sister of King Charles III. Timothy Laurence worked as an equerry (a special assistant) for Queen Elizabeth II from 1986 to 1989. He married Princess Anne in 1992.
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Early Life and Education
Timothy Laurence was born on March 1, 1955, in Camberwell, South London. His father was Commander Guy Stewart Laurence, a Royal Navy officer and salesman. His mother was Barbara Alison Laurence. Timothy has an older brother named Jonathan.
Laurence attended The New Beacon Preparatory School and then Sevenoaks School in Kent. He later studied at University College, part of Durham University. He received a degree in geography with honors. While at university, he was the editor of the student newspaper, Palatinate.
Timothy Laurence began his career in the Royal Navy on January 1, 1973. He became a midshipman and later an acting sub-lieutenant. After finishing his studies at Durham, he completed his training at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, Devon. His first posting was to HMS Aurora, a frigate based in Plymouth. He was promoted to lieutenant on March 1, 1977.
In 1978, Laurence worked at the training base HMS Vernon. The next year, he served on the minesweeper HMS Pollington. He then briefly served as the second Navigating Officer on the Royal Yacht HMY Britannia. From 1980 to 1982, he was the Navigating Officer of the destroyer HMS Sheffield.
In 1982, he took command of the patrol boat HMS Cygnet. He patrolled off Northern Ireland to stop IRA gun-runners. For his excellent service, he was mentioned in despatches, which is a special recognition.
After more training, he was posted to the frigate HMS Alacrity. Laurence was promoted to lieutenant commander on March 1, 1985. In March 1986, he attended a tactics course in Australia. During this time, he learned he would become an Equerry to the Queen. He held this important role from October 1986 to September 1989. He was promoted to commander on December 31, 1988.
In October 1989, Laurence was assigned to the frigate HMS Boxer. He became its commanding officer on January 30, 1990, at 34 years old. From 1992 to 1994, Laurence worked for the naval staff in the Ministry of Defence in London. On May 16, 1994, he became the first military assistant to the Secretary of State for Defence, Malcolm Rifkind. His job was to give military advice.
Laurence was promoted to captain on June 30, 1995. He commanded the frigate HMS Cumberland until 1996. In May 1996, the ship returned from the Adriatic Sea. There, HMS Cumberland was part of the NATO-led IFOR Task Force. On August 27, 1996, Laurence became Commanding Officer of the frigate HMS Montrose. He also became Captain of the 6th Frigate Squadron. The ship was sent to the South Atlantic to patrol the Falkland Islands. In July 1997, Laurence returned to the Ministry of Defence.
Later Career and Retirement
From January 1999, Laurence was a visiting fellow at St Antony's College, Oxford. He wrote a paper about how humanitarian aid and peacekeeping work together. He then became Assistant Commandant (Navy) at the Joint Services Command and Staff College in June 1999. From 2001 to 2004, Laurence worked at the Ministry of Defence again. He was the Director of Navy Resources and Programmes.
He was promoted to rear admiral on July 5, 2004. On April 30, 2007, he became Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff for Resources and Plans. He was then promoted to vice admiral. He became the chief executive of Defence Estates, which manages military properties.
In July 2009, Laurence became Head of Profession for the British Government's Property Asset Management community. This group includes experts in construction, property management, and facilities. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) made Laurence an Honorary Member in 2009.
Laurence retired from the Royal Navy in August 2010. Since then, he has taken on many non-executive and charity roles. He focuses on property and urban renewal. He was on the board of Capita Symonds until 2014. He is also the non-executive chairman of Dorchester Regeneration, a property development company. He is also chairman of Purfleet Centre Regeneration.
He was Chairman of the English Heritage Trust from April 2015 to December 2022. He also served as Vice-Chairman of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission until June 2019. He is a Trustee of the HMS Victory Preservation Company. In 2021, Laurence was elected a FSA. In December 2023, he was appointed Chairman of the Science Museum Group.
Marriage to Princess Anne
Laurence first met Princess Anne in 1986. At that time, he was an equerry to Queen Elizabeth II. Laurence and Princess Anne married on December 12, 1992. Their wedding was a Church of Scotland ceremony at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral. The Church of Scotland allows divorced people to remarry.
He did not receive a special title (peerage) when he married. However, he was made a personal aide-de-camp to the Queen in 2008. In June 2011, he was honored as a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
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Princess Anne kept her country home, Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, after her first marriage ended. After marrying Laurence, they first rented a flat in Dolphin Square in Westminster. Later, they moved into apartments in Buckingham Palace. They now have an apartment at St James's Palace.
Honours and Awards
Sir Timothy Laurence has received several honors and awards for his service:
- 1983: He was Mentioned in Despatches for his distinguished service in Northern Ireland.
- 2004: Appointed Personal Aide-de-Camp to the Sovereign.
- 2023: Appointed patron of the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF).
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Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) | 14 June 2011 |
| Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) | 23 August 1989 | |
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Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB) - Military Division | 16 June 2007 |
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General Service Medal | 18 October 1983, with 1 Clasp Northern Ireland and oak leaf for Mentioned in dispatches |
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Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal | 6 February 2002 |
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Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal | 6 February 2012 |
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Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal | 6 February 2022 |
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King Charles III Coronation Medal | 6 May 2023 |
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Companion of the Order of the Star of Melanesia (CSM) | 29 September 2005 |
Images for kids
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Laurence in 2023
See also
In Spanish: Timothy Laurence para niños
