How Old Was Princess Anne When She Got Married

So, you’re curious about Princess Anne and her wedding day. How old was she when she got married, and why does it even matter? Let’s be honest—royal weddings are usually a big deal, but Anne always did things her own way. She wasn’t the typical “waiting for Prince Charming” princess. She was a hardcore equestrian who would rather be in the stables than at a ball, right?

The Quick Answer: She Was 23

Princess Anne married Captain Mark Phillips on November 14, 1973. She was exactly 23 years old. That’s pretty close to the average age for brides in the UK back then, but for a royal, it had a little extra spice.

Think about it: she was the same age as Princess Diana when she got married, but the vibe was completely different. Diana was a shy teenager when she met Charles, while Anne was already a seasoned competitor and a fully-formed personality.

Does 23 sound young or old to you today? For context, your typical modern bride in her early twenties is still figuring out her career—Anne was already a world-class athlete.

Why 23 Was Actually Pretty Cool for Anne

Here’s where it gets interesting: Anne didn’t rush into marriage. She had already won the European Eventing Championship in 1971 and was named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year that same year. Can you imagine a princess who won a sports title before she even said “I do”? That’s rare, even now.

She was also famously private and fiercely independent. At 23, she had already turned down several suitors and dated a few interesting blokes. She wasn’t just marrying to tick a box—she was actually in love with a man who shared her passion for horses.

Mark Phillips was an army officer and equestrian, and their wedding was relatively low-key by royal standards. No massive carriage procession, no million-dollar dress drama—just a beautiful ceremony at Westminster Abbey with a lot of horsey friends.

Fun Comparisons: Then vs. Now

Let’s play a little game. If Anne were getting married today at 23, she’d be the youngest British royal bride in modern history beside Prince William and Kate. Why? Because most royals now wait until their 30s. Prince William was 28 when he married, and Harry was 33. Even Princess Eugenie was 28.

But Anne wasn’t the first to marry young. Her father, Prince Philip, was only 26 when he got hitched. And get this: Queen Elizabeth II was just 21 when she married Philip. Yes, your great-granny-era vibes are strong here—Anne was actually on the older side compared to her own mom!

So, 23 isn’t “too young” for a royal, but it’s definitely a different era. Anne’s generation of princesses married for love and duty, while today’s royals marry for love and Instagram likes. Can you imagine if Anne had to deal with social media at 23? Yikes.

The “Cool Factor” Nobody Talks About

Here’s the real juice: Anne’s wedding wasn’t just a date on a calendar. It was a statement. She married a commoner (Mark Phillips had no royal title) and didn’t even take his surname. She kept her own name, her own career, and her own horses. How modern is that for 1973?

Princess anne first wedding | Beachweddingtips.com

And let’s not forget the wedding dress. It was a high-necked, long-sleeved, medieval-inspired design by Maureen Baker. No puffy sleeves, no drama—just pure, no-nonsense style. It was so Anne: practical, elegant, and a little bit defiant.

Most people remember the wedding for the horsemen escorting the carriage—the Royal Horse Guards wearing those shiny helmets. But really, it was Anne’s quiet confidence that stole the show. She didn’t need a fairytale; she had her own story.

What About Her Second Marriage?

Okay, quick side note: Anne’s first marriage to Mark Phillips ended in 1992. She then married Sir Timothy Laurence in 1992. How old was she for that one? She was 42. Now that is a mature, confident age to recommit to love.

Her second wedding was even smaller—a private ceremony in Scotland. At 42, Anne was a divorced mother of two and a working royal with zero time for drama. She wore a simple blue suit and a hat. Talk about cool under pressure.

So if you’re keeping score: first marriage at 23 (young, ambitious, horse-loving), second at 42 (wise, settled, still horse-loving). That’s a life arc worth a movie, right?

The Takeaway: Age Is Just a Number (Even for Princesses)

Princess Anne’s story shows that there’s no “perfect age” to get married. For her, 23 was the sweet spot—old enough to know herself, young enough to take risks. She wasn’t a teenager, but she wasn’t a middle-aged diplomat either. She was exactly where she needed to be.

Plus, she proved that you can marry for love, keep your career, and still be a royal badass. Let’s be real—how many 23-year-olds can say they’ve competed in the Olympics? (Spoiler: she did, in 1976, after her wedding.)

So, fellow curious minds, the answer is simple: Princess Anne was 23 when she first got married, and 42 when she did it again. And whether you’re 23, 42, or somewhere in between, her story is a reminder that the best love stories don’t follow a rulebook. They just gallop along at their own pace.