Princess Anne expected to go on royal tour of Australia

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In an interview to celebrate her engagement to Captain Mark Phillips, Princess Anne showed her usual straight-talking manner by responding bluntly to a question about her relationship. The Princess Royal retorted “It’s got to hasn’t it?”, when asked if the couple’s marriage could withstand the public scrutiny around members of the Royal Family. Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips married on November 14, 1973 in a televised ceremony at Westminster Abbey. 

Celebrity website The List reported: “Rings are a big deal in the Royal Family.

“After all, just think how poignant it is that Kate Middleton was gifted Diana Spencer’s iconic blue sapphire engagement ring when Prince William popped the question.

“Anne’s engagement ring, given to her by Mark, was no exception. As noted by Elle, Mark proposed with a sapphire ring in a gorgeous square-cut shape.

“It was framed with two diamonds on either side, and based on the photo, was a serious rock that stood out on Anne’s delicate finger.

“As far as the engagement and announcement of the marriage goes, things are a little less exciting. 

“As noted by Brides, Anne and Mark were asked by the press if their relationship could stand the test of time.

“Specifically, the couple were asked ‘Do you think the marriage can withstand the enormous pressures of public duty and publicity that you have to endure?’

“Anne responded with an emphatic ‘Can? It’s got to hasn’t it?'”

Princess Anne first met her future husband, who was a lieutenant in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards, at a party in 1968, however they did not enter a relationship until the early 1970s. 

Princess Anne had to 'stake out' her role in family says Nicholl

Both shared a mutual passion for horses, with Captain Mark Phillips securing an Olympic gold medal during the 1972 Olympic Games with the British equestrian team. 

Princess Anne later competed in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, participating with the 3-day eventing team. 

The couple’s wedding attracted intense media scrutiny, as she was the first of the Queen’s children to marry. Prince Charles would not wed Princess Diana until 1981, and Prince Andrew and Prince Edward were still children at the time of Anne’s marriage. 

Captain Mark Phillips and Princess Anne welcomed two children together, Peter and Zara Phillips. 

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As Captain Mark Phillips had not taken an earldom upon joining the Royal Family, the couple opted against giving their two children royal titles. 

Despite their mutual interests, cracks soon began to emerge within the marriage and by the 1980s, they were leading separate lives, with both parties romantically linked to other partners. 

Their divorce was finalised in 1992, after several years of living apart. 

Since then, Princess Anne has remarried Sir Timothy Laurence, a commander in the Royal Navy. The couple were wed in December 1992 in a small private ceremony in Scotland. 

The Princess Royal is currently recognised as one of the most hard-working royals, and has been described as the Royal Family’s “trustiest anchor”.

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