The Story of Felicity Tonkin: Mark Phillips’ Secret Child
When it comes to the British royal family, there are always hidden stories and intriguing secrets waiting to be uncovered. One such tale involves Felicity Tonkin, a name that has piqued the curiosity of many royal enthusiasts. Her existence came to light under extraordinary circumstances, unraveling a web of hidden truths and family secrets that offer a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of royal life. Join us as we dabble into the story of Felicity Tonkin and explore just how her revelation affected the royal family.
Who is Felicity Tonkin?
Felicity Tonkin is that name that was huge for many readers interested in the inner workings of the royal family. She is the daughter of Captain Mark Phillips and Heather Tonkin, a New Zealand art teacher; Her father was Princess Anne’s first husband. Her story goes deep to huge truths about family secrets, huge complexities of royal life.
Childhood and Discovery
Born in 1985, Felicity is the result of a very brief affair between Mark Phillips, Olympic gold medal-winning equestrian, married to Princess Anne at the time, and Heather Tonkin in 1984, during a riding clinic in Auckland, New Zealand. She found out that she was pregnant, and when Mark Phillips was attempting to get her to abort the pregnancy, it all broke open. However, Heather chose to retain the baby, and Felicity was born.
Who is Felicity Tonkin’s Mother?
Felicity Tonkin’s mother is Heather Tonkin, an art teacher in New Zealand. Heather met Captain Mark Phillips, Princess Anne’s first husband, at a riding clinic in Auckland in 1983. Their brief affair resulted in Felicity’s birth in 1985. Heather chose to keep the baby despite Mark’s initial reluctance and the subsequent scandal that rocked the royal family. Heather Tonkin has since raised Felicity as a single mother, navigating the challenges and public scrutiny that came with the revelation of Felicity’s parentage.
Who is Felicity Tonkin’s Father?
Felicity Tonkin’s father is Olympic gold medal-winning equestrian Captain Mark Phillips, the ex-husband of Princess Anne. Heather Tonkin was briefly involved with Mark Phillips in 1984. Felicity was born in 1985, and Mark at first denied the claim of paternity. A DNA test ordered by the court in 1991 proved that Felicity was his biological daughter. Despite this confirmation, Mark Phillips never acknowledged Felicity publicly, and she grew up with very limited contact with him.
Who is the Husband of Felicity Tonkin?
Felicity Tonkin is married to Tristan Wade. Tristan Wade is not at all very publicity freak and, just like Felicity, does not draw much limelight to himself. Together, they love horses and, therefore, their passion for horses has gone a long way in defining Felicity’s profession as an equine veterinarian. Love and great respect build perfectly from mutual interest. This makes them support each other both professionally and personally.
The Royal Scandal
The revelation of Felicity’s existence caused a huge scandal in the royal family. Princess Anne and Mark Phillips had been married since 1973 and had two children together, Peter and Zara. However, their marriage was already under strain, and they separated in 1989. The news of Mark’s affair and the existence of his secret daughter added to the turmoil.
Heather Tonkin kept Felicity’s identity as her daughter to herself for six years. But in 1991, she made public this story and tests through DNA were conducted, and Felicity was declared to be Mark Phillips’ daughter. This led to an order of Mark to pay the child support from the court and eventually agreed to settle on £350,000 for the future of Felicity.
Family Dynamics
Although the scandal was publicized, Felicity has kept out of the public eye. She has never met her half-siblings, Peter and Zara, and it is said that Mark Phillips has never publicly acknowledged her. However, Felicity maintains a good relationship with her half-sister from Mark’s second marriage, Stephanie Phillips. Stephanie has even allowed Peter and Zara’s children to be the flower girls at her wedding and invited Princess Anne.
Impact on the Royal Family
The existence of Felicity has become a permanent reminder to the royal family. Princess Anne and Mark Phillips divorced in 1992, and Anne eventually married Sir Tim Laurence. The controversy added to the public eye in persecuting the royal family and raising the difficulty of keeping their privacy and discretion of personal relations.
Felicity’s Life Today
Felicity Tonkin has kept a low profile. She has grown up knowing the truth about her parentage but has chosen to live a private life. Despite the challenges she has faced, Felicity has managed to build a life for herself, separate from the royal family drama.
Conclusion
The story of Felicity Tonkin is an interesting insight into the complexities of life in the royal family and the impact of hidden truths coming to light. Her existence has added a layer of intrigue to the already well-documented lives of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips. Despite the challenges she has faced, Felicity has managed to carve out her own path, away from the public eye.
