Equerry posted to own frigate

Press, 14 April 1989, Page 5

Equerry posted to own frigate

By

TONY VERDON

111 JLUIIUUII The Queen’s equerry who wrote intimate letters to Princess Anne, Commander Tim Laurence, will be given command of his own frigate. Commander Laurence, aged 34, has won what is described as a coveted posting to a vessel carrying 275 men. He was recently praised by Royal Navy chiefs while at the helm of a patrol boat stationed off Northern Ireland. However, the extra responsibility will add only £1 a day to his £28,000 ($78,400) salary. Commander Laurence is due back on active service in October, after serving as one of the Queen’s equerrys for three years. A Navy expert said he was young to get command of a frigate “but he has already shown he is in the fast-lane for promotion with his earlier service.” Scotland Yard detectives were still searching for the person who stole four letters written by Commander Laurence to Princess Anne. Princess Anne and Commander Laurence had been fingerprinted as part of the investigation. Princess Anne and her husband, Captain Mark Phillips, continue to live separate lives. Princess Anne was due to fly to Florida for an equestrian event this week-end, while Captain Phillips was expected to return from a business trip in Spain, for a two-day equestrian event in Northamptonshire. She will return from Florida on Sunday night, when Captain Phillips will fly to Monte Carlo. Buckingham Palace officials said they did not know when the couple would be reunited at their Gloucestershire home, v Gatcombe Park.