Princess Margaret – Her Life, Love, and Lasting Legacy

Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, led a life that captivated the public for decades. Born into a royal family that was thrust into the spotlight after the abdication crisis, she was known for her glamour, her rebellious streak, and a personal life that often clashed with the expectations of her position. Margaret Rose, as she was officially named, remains one of the most intriguing figures in modern British royal history.

Her story is one of duty and desire, a struggle between the constraints of monarchy and a yearning for personal freedom. From her early years at Glamis Castle to her final days in London, Princess Margaret’s biography offers a window into a changing Britain and a royal family navigating the 20th century. This article presents the key facts, relationships, and unanswered questions surrounding her life.

Who Was Princess Margaret? Full Name and Early Life

Full Name	Margaret Rose (Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon)
Born	21 August 1930, Glamis Castle, Scotland
Died	9 February 2002, London, England
Parents	King George VI & Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

Princess Margaret was the first senior British royal in over 400 years to have a direct ancestor (Mary, Queen of Scots) executed.
Her romance with Peter Townsend was a major constitutional crisis, as the Church of England forbade remarriage after divorce during that time.
She was a pioneer of a more modern, glamorous, and often rebellious public image for royals, foreshadowing later fascination with Princess Diana.
She was a talented musician and an accomplished ballet dancer, supporting the arts later in life.
Her choice to marry a commoner (Antony Armstrong-Jones) was a historic event, the first time a senior royal had done so in centuries.

Fact	Detail
Born	21 August 1930
Title	Countess of Snowdon
Husband	Antony Armstrong-Jones
Children	David and Sarah
Famous for	Being the Queen’s younger sister and her ‘rebel’ lifestyle
Notable Relationship	With Group Captain Peter Townsend
Died	9 February 2002

Princess Margaret, Sister of Queen Elizabeth II: The Royal Family Dynamic

Her Relationship with the Queen

Margaret was the only sibling of Queen Elizabeth II, born four years after her sister. The two shared a close bond during childhood, but their lives diverged dramatically after their father, King George VI, died in 1952. As the younger sister, Margaret held no direct constitutional role but remained a prominent public figure. The official royal family biography notes her position as the king’s younger daughter and the queen’s sister.

Family Context

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) raised both daughters in a relatively sheltered environment. The abdication of Edward VIII in 1936 unexpectedly placed Margaret’s father on the throne, reshaping the family’s future.

Parents: King George VI and the Queen Mother

Princess Margaret was the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Her father’s sudden accession after the abdication crisis meant the family moved from relative privacy to the center of national life. Margaret was a young teenager when her father died in 1952, an event that deeply affected her. Britannica details her early life at Glamis Castle and her education alongside her sister.

Princess Margaret’s Husband and Children: Marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones

Meeting and Wedding

Margaret married photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones on 6 May 1960 at Westminster Abbey. It was the first televised royal wedding, watched by millions. Armstrong-Jones was a commoner, and upon marriage he was created Earl of Snowdon, making Margaret the Countess of Snowdon. The Westminster Abbey record confirms the wedding date and location.

Children: David and Sarah

The couple had two children. David Armstrong-Jones, born 3 November 1961, later became the 2nd Earl of Snowdon. Lady Sarah Chatto, born 1 May 1964, is their daughter. Both have largely stayed out of the limelight, pursuing careers in furniture design and painting respectively. HELLO! Magazine provides detailed profiles of Margaret’s children.

Divorce

The marriage broke down in the mid-1970s, and the divorce was finalized in 1978. This made Margaret the first senior royal to divorce since the 16th century, a deeply controversial event at the time. Wikipedia notes the separation and divorce timeline.

Royal Precedent

Margaret’s divorce from Armstrong-Jones set a modern precedent within the royal family. Later divorces, including those of Prince Charles and Princess Anne, followed in the decades after.

Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend: The Story That Defined an Era

The Romance

Princess Margaret’s relationship with Group Captain Peter Townsend became one of the defining royal romances of the era. Townsend was a decorated war hero and a divorced man, serving as an equerry to the king. The relationship began in the late 1940s and intensified after the king’s death. Photographs of the pair together in public fueled intense media speculation.

Why They Did Not Marry

The Church of England, of which the Queen is Supreme Governor, prohibited the remarriage of divorced people during that period. As Townsend was divorced, Margaret would have been required to renounce her royal titles and position to marry him. In 1955, she issued a public statement declining the marriage, citing her duty to the crown. Cosmopolitan covers the reasoning and aftermath.

Constitutional Crisis

The Townsend affair was not merely a personal drama. It forced the government and the Church to confront the rules of royal marriage, sparking debates that would later lead to changes in the royal succession laws.

How Did Princess Margaret Die? Her Final Years and Lasting Impact

Health Decline

Margaret’s health deteriorated significantly in the 1990s. She suffered a series of strokes and reduced her public engagements. She had been a heavy smoker for much of her life, contributing to her ill health. History Extra provides context on her health battles.

Death

She died on 9 February 2002 at King Edward VII’s Hospital in London, at the age of 71. The official cause was a stroke. She was buried in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, alongside her parents. Her sister, Queen Elizabeth II, attended the funeral, as did her children and other family members.

Key Dates in Princess Margaret’s Life

21 August 1930 – Born Margaret Rose at Glamis Castle, Scotland.
11 December 1936 – Father becomes King George VI after the abdication crisis.
1947 – Serves as a bridesmaid at her sister’s wedding to Philip Mountbatten.
1952 – Her father, King George VI, dies; her sister becomes Queen.
1955 – Announces she will not marry Peter Townsend.
6 May 1960 – Marries Antony Armstrong-Jones at Westminster Abbey.
3 November 1961 – Son David Armstrong-Jones born.
1 May 1964 – Daughter Lady Sarah Chatto born.
1978 – Divorce from Antony Armstrong-Jones finalized.
9 February 2002 – Dies in London.

What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About Princess Margaret’s Life

Established Information	Information That Remains Unclear
Her full name was Margaret Rose.	The exact details of her personal regrets about the decision to end her relationship with Peter Townsend remain a matter of historical interpretation and anecdotal reports, not official record.
She was the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.	Speculation about the exact nature and timeline of her health conditions (e.g., early onset of lung cancer) is often discussed but not always fully confirmed by official medical records.
She was the sister of Queen Elizabeth II.
She married Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960 and they had two children.
She did not marry Peter Townsend, citing Church of England rules on divorce.
She died on 9 February 2002.

The Meaning and Legacy of Princess Margaret’s Life

Princess Margaret’s position as a ‘rebel’ within the royal family has been analyzed extensively. Her life exemplified the tension between duty and personal desire, creating a template for modern royal figures who later faced similar struggles. The romance narrative around her relationship with Peter Townsend was shaped by media and societal pressures of the 1950s. Her legacy includes a trailblazing public image that blended glamour with controversy, and she is remembered for her patronage of the arts, particularly ballet and theatre. The decline of the British aristocracy and the monarchy’s need to modernize form the backdrop to her story, which has been re-presented in modern pop culture, notably through the television series ‘The Crown’. People magazine continues to cover her cultural impact.

Key Statements and Sources on Princess Margaret

“I’ve changed my mind… Oh, but my dear, you’ll have to break it to the world!”

Alleged remark to a journalist upon deciding not to marry Townsend (as widely reported).

“I have decided not to marry Group Captain Peter Townsend. I have been aware that, were I to contract a civil marriage, I would be required to renounce my rights.”

Public statement issued on 31 October 1955.

“She was always fun. But she could also be a devil. She was like a caged bird.”

A close friend or companion (paraphrased, a general quote often echoed in biographies).

A Life of Duty and Desire: Princess Margaret in Perspective

Princess Margaret’s life story remains a compelling blend of royal duty, personal tragedy, and public fascination. From her privileged but constrained upbringing to her tumultuous relationships and early death, she navigated a world that few could understand. Her legacy endures as a symbol of a bygone era and a precursor to the modern monarchy, reminding us that even those born into privilege must grapple with the weight of expectation.

What is Princess Margaret Hospital?

There are hospitals named after her, most notably the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, Canada, which is a major cancer treatment and research center.

Where was Princess Margaret buried?

She is buried in the King George VI Memorial Chapel in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, alongside her parents and sister.

How old was Princess Margaret when she died?

She was 71 years old when she died on 9 February 2002.

Was Princess Margaret older than the Queen?

No, Princess Margaret was the younger sister. Queen Elizabeth II was born in 1926, and Margaret was born in 1930.

Why did Princess Margaret not marry Peter Townsend?

The Church of England did not allow divorced people to remarry at that time. As Townsend was divorced, Margaret would have had to give up her royal titles. She chose duty over personal happiness.

Who did Princess Margaret marry?

She married Antony Armstrong-Jones, a photographer, on 6 May 1960. He was later created Earl of Snowdon.

What did Princess Margaret die of?

She died from a stroke on 9 February 2002, after a period of poor health including multiple strokes.