With Prince Charles, 71, it was a wiretapped telephone line that led to his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, 72. His unfortunate marriage to Princess Diana († 36) is known worldwide and recorded in countless documentaries and films. However, Prince Charles is not the only royal who maintained a dreary marriage, pretending to seek another love. His sister Princess Anne, 69, also followed this path. Her affair also came to light. She also chose a second, happy marriage.
Princess Anne's first marriage to Mark Phillips
On November 14, 1973, the then 23-year-old Princess Anne married Captain Mark Phillips. The couple have two children together. Peter Phillips, 42, and Zara Tindall, 38. But the marriage of the princess has been repeatedly described as unfortunate over the years. What nobody knew until 1989: Princess Anne loves another man. She has an affair with her mother's stable master Queen Elizabeth, 93.
Princess Anne: Your affair comes to light
In April 1989, love letters from the princess were stolen from Buckingham Palace. The police and the royal family are certain that one of the employees has sent the intimate lines to the press. The private letters between Anne and Timothy Laurence, 65, are sent to the British daily newspaper "The Sun", which in turn passes them on to Scotland Yard. Investigations are initiated to find the perpetrator. Employees are questioned, fingerprints taken – but even after four months, the police cannot clearly say who wanted to reveal the secret of the princess. At that time, investigator Roy Ramm told in a documentary in 2002 how he brought the news to Princess Anne. "Honestly, we came to a dead end and went to the princess and said, 'We're very sorry, we can't definitely tell you who stole your letters.'"
Palast confirms relationship with Timothy Laurence
A short time later, Buckingham Palace turns to the public and confirms the liaison between Princess Anne and Timothy Laurence. A statement said: "The stolen letters were sent to the Princess Royal by Commander Timothy Laurence, the Queen's stable master. We have nothing to say about the content of the personal letters that a friend sent to Her Royal Highness, the have been stolen and are the subject of a police investigation. " Princess Anne and her first husband Mark Phillips then split up. Her divorce came into effect in 1992.
Princess Anne's marriage to Timothy Laurence
However, Princess Anne is initially denied any public relationship with the Queen's stable master. Only after her divorce can she show herself with the new man at her side. Just eight months after their official divorce, in December 1992, Princess Anne and Timothy Laurence married in Scotland. A second marriage in England is not possible at this time because the Church of England refuses to do so.
Sources used: express.co.uk
This article originally appeared on Gala.de.