August is often a quieter time for the British royal family, with fewer obligations and public appearances on the books so the family can enjoy some time off at Balmoral Castle. But this year it seems they’ve decided to use the dog days of summer to shake things up with some exciting new changes, and I’m not just talking about Princess Catherine’s decision to go blonde. Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles recently honored his brother-in-law, Sir Timothy Laurence, with a fancy new title. And it appears the promotion is actually a pretty huge deal.
This Royal Just Got a Promotion and a Fancy New Title—But It’s Not Who I Was Expecting
Congratulations are in order!
Published Aug 30, 2025
•3:29pm
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Sir Timothy Laurence, husband to Princess Anne for the last 33 years, has been promoted from Knight Commander to Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, according to a press release from Buckingham Palace. This incredible honor is the highest title available within the Order, which recognizes personal service to the royal family or the monarch.
Laurence’s new title puts him on par with Queen Camilla, the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess of Wales, but it’s particularly notable as he is the only non-working royal to be awarded the honor. Congratulations, Tim!
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In fact, the bestowing of Knight Grand Cross technically places Laurence above Prince Harry in terms of the Order. Though with Harry having officially stepped away from the royal family 2020, this may not cause much of a stir between the relatives. It certainly does give Anne and Timothy plenty to celebrate, however!
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Princess Anne has long been considered the hardest working royal, attending more royal engagements than any other member of the royal family. And for many of these engagements, you can rest assured husband Sir Timothy Laurence will be right there by her side. And that support has been particularly important over the past year after Anne suffered a traumatic head injury just last summer.
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Princess Anne first met Laurence in the late 1980s and they were married in December 1992, just months after her divorce from her first husband, Mark Phillips. But it appears it truly is a love match, as they will celebrate their 33rd wedding anniversary later this year. And now they’ll have even more to celebrate with this incredible new honor for Laurence.
