Princess Anne's mystery stepdaughter who was kept secret from her for years

Princess Anne has a stepdaughter, Felicity Tonkin, who was born after her then-husband Mark Phillips had an affair with a New Zealand art teacher in the 1980s.

Princess Anne, the younger sister of King Charles and a cherished member of the Royal Family, has been busy this week, engaging with Gurkha personnel and their families during her visit to Imjin Barracks in Gloucestershire.

The 73-year-old Princess Royal is often hailed as the hardest-working member of The Firm. She is currently married to former Royal Navy officer Sir Tim Laurence, whom she wed in 1992, however her two children, Peter Phillips, 46, and Zara Tindall, 43, are from her first marriage to Mark Phillips, 75, an Olympic gold medal-winning equestrian.

Anne and Mark tied the knot in 1973 after a five-year courtship but after facing difficulties in their relationship, they decided to separate in 1989, OK! reports.

Initially, Anne had no plans for a divorce, but the situation changed in 1991 when it was revealed that Mark had fathered a child with a New Zealand art teacher. Felicity Tonkin was born in 1985 to Heather Tonkin, who had a brief affair with Mark in 1984.

Her identity was kept secret for six years, but when the truth came out, it sparked one of the most significant royal scandals ever, according to the Express.

The pair first met at an Auckland riding clinic where they are said to have developed a friendship. The alleged affair occurred when he returned a year later, reportedly leaving his riding boots outside his hotel room door for Heather to locate him.

It's suggested that Mark initially contemplated an abortion, before deciding on monthly payments for the child's maintenance.

However, in 1991, Heather went public, with DNA tests confirming Felicity as the daughter of Anne's husband. Recent reports suggest that Felicity has never met her step-siblings Zara and Peter.

It's thought that the pair maintain a close relationship with Stephanie Phillips, their half-sister from their father's second marriage to Sandy Pflueger.

Despite maintaining a low profile, Stephanie asked Peter and Zara's children to be flower girls at her wedding and even extended an invitation to Anne for the occasion.

Latest Princess Anne news

• Princess Anne's surprise Stirling trip
• Princess Anne's 'maternal' response
• Princess Anne visit Scots city pie shop
• Princess Anne's savage reaction

Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.