MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

The Princess Royal has been married twice.

The engagement of The Princess Royal to Lieutenant (later Captain) Mark Phillips of The Queen's Dragoon Guards was announced on 29 May 1973.

They were married in Westminster Abbey on 14 November 1973 in a ceremony which was shown on television around the world.
 
Four months after their marriage, a dramatic attempt was made to abduct the Princess, as she and Captain Phillips were being driven along the Mall on their way back to Buckingham Palace after a charity film show.

The attempted kidnapping proved unsuccessful. The Princess was unhurt, but her personal protection officer was shot and wounded during the incident. He was awarded the George Cross for his bravery.

The marriage was dissolved in April 1992. On 12 December 1992 The Princess Royal married Commander Timothy Laurence of the Royal Navy (now Vice Admiral Laurence), at a private ceremony at Crathie Church, near Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The couple live at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire.

The Princess's first child (and The Queen's first grandchild) was born on 15 November 1977 at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. He was christened Peter Mark Andrew Phillips at a service conducted in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace by the Archbishop of Canterbury on 22 December 1977.

The Princess's second child was born on 15 May 1981, also at St Mary's Hospital. She was christened Zara Anne Elizabeth at a service conducted in the Chapel at Windsor Castle by the Dean of Windsor on 27 July 1981.

Neither Zara nor Peter Phillips undertake official Royal duties. A keen horsewoman, Zara has followed in her mother's footsteps by representing Great Britain in a number of equestrian competitions.