Sir Tim’s star role in Princess Anne’s birthday portrait acknowledges the huge support he gives to Royal Family’s hardest working member

There’s a lead role for the husband of the Princess Royal in a portrait taken to mark a special day.

Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence is photographed with his wife in the official image for Princess Anne’s 75th birthday.

The couple, who have been married for 32 years, posed for the portrait before the State Banquet for the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, which was held at Windsor Castle in July.

It’s an indication of the important role played in Royal Family life by Sir Tim.

Although it might be expected that a husband would stand at his wife’s side for a birthday photo, things work slightly differently in the Royal Family.

This is, after all, an official image released by Buckingham Palace to mark a milestone moment in the life of the only daughter of Britain’s longest reigning Monarch.

Furthermore, Anne’s brother as King Charles has been rather strict on rules around working royals. The balcony appearances of his reign have been somewhat less busy than those that took place during his mother’s tenure as he tends to limit the places to those who are working royals.

Sir Tim has always been present although he’s not classed as a working royal. There’s no expectation that he would carry out solo engagements and his movements aren’t tracked by the Court Circular.

However, that elegant record of royal activity does sometimes have to include his name. He’s been a strong supporter of Princess Anne throughout their marriage and now is often to be found with her at big engagements.

In fact, the number of times he’s out on official duty with the Princess might almost qualify him as a working royal. It’s clearly not a title he has ever sought.

But his inclusion in the official birthday portrait acknowledges the special place he holds, not just with his wife, but within the wider Royal Family.

In the portrait, taken by Chris Jackson, the Princess is seen in a full length white evening dress and one of her favourite tiaras, the Pinecone diadem which is made of aquamarines and diamonds.

Princess Anne is 75 on August 15th but the special portrait was released a week before her big day. The move avoids sending out a celebratory image on the same day that the Royal Family will attend a series of commemorative event marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.

It would be no surprise to see Sir Tim at the side of Princess Anne, and not just because of his own background.