How Old Was Princess Anne When She Got Married

Let’s be honest—most of us don’t have our wedding plans sorted out by the time we’re in our early twenties. We’re still figuring out how to cook pasta without setting off the smoke alarm. So when we ask, “How old was Princess Anne when she got married?” it feels oddly personal, like checking in on a friend’s life timeline.

The short answer (and a little surprise)

Princess Anne was 23 years old when she married Captain Mark Phillips on November 14, 1973. That feels young by today’s standards, right? But back then, it was actually pretty normal for royals to tie the knot before their 25th birthday.

To put it in perspective: at 23, most of us are still trying to remember to pay our phone bill on time. Anne, meanwhile, was planning a wedding watched by an estimated 500 million people worldwide. No pressure.

Comparing to your own life (it’s fun, I promise)

Think back to when you were 23. Maybe you were living in a shared flat with mismatched furniture. You might have been dating someone whose biggest achievement was remembering to take out the trash. Princess Anne, on the other hand, was already a seasoned equestrian and a working royal. She was basically the friend who has their life together while you’re still eating cereal for dinner.

But here’s the kicker: she also rode her own horse to the church on her wedding day. That’s not just cool—it’s a level of confidence most of us still haven’t reached at 30.

How Princess Anne's first wedding was inspired by the Queen

Why her age actually matters

You might be thinking, “Why should I care about some royal wedding from 1973?” Fair question. But understanding Anne’s age tells us something real about timing in life. She married at 23, but her marriage didn’t last forever—she divorced in 1992 and later remarried at age 42. So her story isn’t about rushing into forever. It’s about adapting.

That’s relatable whether you’re 23, 33, or 53. Life doesn’t hand out a perfect schedule. Some people marry young and grow apart. Others find love later and laugh at their younger selves.

Princess Anne Married Mark Phillips 47 Years Ago, 44% OFF

A little story to make you smile

Picture this: Princess Anne’s wedding dress cost about £20,000 in today’s money. It had a high-neck collar and long sleeves—very proper. But under that dress? She wore a pair of sensible shoes because she knew she’d be standing for hours. That’s a 23-year-old who had her priorities straight. Meanwhile, at my own wedding, I wore heels I couldn’t walk in and spent half the reception barefoot in the grass.

So really, you can learn a lot from Anne. She was young, but she was practical. That’s a good lesson for anyone, whether you’re planning a wedding, a career move, or just figuring out what to eat for lunch.

Princess anne first wedding | Beachweddingtips.com

The takeaway (no royal lessons required)

Princess Anne was 23 when she got married—not too young, not too old, just her time. Her story reminds us that age is just a number, but the way you handle your choices makes all the difference. You don’t have to be a princess to know that sometimes the best plans are the ones that leave room for change.

So next time you wonder about someone’s life timeline, remember Anne: she married young, rode her own horse, and wore comfy shoes. That’s the kind of energy we can all use, no matter how old we are.