Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, lived a life that captivated the public for decades. Known for her glamour, sharp wit, and a rebellious spirit that often clashed with royal protocol, her story is one of privilege, heartbreak, and duty. This article covers her full name, family, the famous romance with Peter Townsend, her marriage and children, and the details surrounding her death and lasting legacy.
Born on 21 August 1930 at Glamis Castle in Scotland, Princess Margaret Rose was the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother). From a young age, she stood in the shadow of her elder sister, Elizabeth, who would ascend the throne in 1952. Despite this, Margaret carved out a distinct public identity, celebrated for her style and social life but also scrutinized for her personal choices.
Her life reflected the deep tensions within the British monarchy during the 20th century. The clash between personal desire and institutional duty defined her, most famously in her relationship with Peter Townsend. She remains one of the most discussed figures in modern royal history, a subject of biographies, documentaries, and ongoing public fascination.
What Was Princess Margaret’s Full Name and Early Life?
Princess Margaret at a Glance
| Full Name | Princess Margaret Rose, Countess of Snowdon |
| Born | 21 August 1930, Glamis Castle, Scotland |
| Died | 9 February 2002, London, England |
| Parents | King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother |
| Siblings | Queen Elizabeth II (sister) |
| Spouse | Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon (m. 1960; div. 1978) |
| Children | David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon; Lady Sarah Chatto |
| Cause of Death | Cardiac complications after a stroke (following years of ill health) |
Her full name, Princess Margaret Rose, is documented in official records. She was born during the reign of her grandfather, King George V, and her early years were spent in the relative calm of royal life before the abdication crisis of 1936 thrust her father onto the throne. The family moved into Buckingham Palace, and Margaret grew up alongside her sister in a tightly knit family unit.
The death of their father, King George VI, in 1952 was a turning point. Elizabeth became queen, and Margaret, then 21, found her own position within the royal hierarchy shift significantly. She was no longer the daughter of the king but the sister of the monarch, a role that came with its own set of expectations and restrictions.
Quick Facts About Princess Margaret
- She was the first senior royal to divorce in the 20th century since Henry VIII, a highly notable event.
- She was the only child of George VI who did not ascend the throne.
- Her wedding to Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960 was the first royal wedding to be televised.
- She was a heavy smoker, which contributed to her later health issues.
- She served as Colonel-in-Chief of several British Army regiments.
The public fascination with Margaret often centers on her glamorous lifestyle. She was a fixture of London’s high society, known for her love of dancing, fashion, and parties. Yet beneath the surface, her life was marked by the constraints of her position, a theme that would dominate much of her story.
Who Did Princess Margaret Marry and Did She Have Children?
Following the end of her relationship with Peter Townsend, Margaret eventually married. In February 1960, Queen Elizabeth II announced her consent to Margaret’s engagement to Antony Armstrong-Jones, a photographer. They were married at Westminster Abbey on 6 May 1960. The marriage was initially seen as a modern fairy tale, but it was later described by biographers as unhappy and ended in divorce in 1978.
Princess Margaret’s Children
Margaret had two children with Antony Armstrong-Jones. Their names are well-documented in official royal sources.
- David Armstrong-Jones, born in 1961, who later became the 2nd Earl of Snowdon. He is also styled as Viscount Linley.
- Lady Sarah Chatto, born in 1964, who is a painter and has largely stayed out of the public spotlight.
Princess Margaret’s divorce in 1978 was a landmark event for the British monarchy. She was the first senior member of the royal family to divorce since the 16th century. This event set a precedent that would later apply to the marriages of other royals, including Prince Charles and Princess Anne, marking a significant shift in public and institutional acceptance.
The breakdown of the marriage was widely reported. Lord Snowdon, as he became known, and Margaret led increasingly separate lives. The divorce was finalized on 5 July 1978. Margaret retained the title of Countess of Snowdon, a title she had held since her marriage.
Why Could Princess Margaret Not Marry Peter Townsend?
This remains the central question of her biography. In her early 20s, Margaret fell in love with Group Captain Peter Townsend, a decorated war hero and former equerry to her father. Their relationship became widely known in the early 1950s and created a major constitutional crisis for the royal family and the government.
The core issue was that Townsend was a divorced man. The Church of England, of which the monarch is the Supreme Governor, strictly forbade the remarriage of divorced people whose former spouses were still living. Furthermore, the Royal Marriages Act of 1772 required the monarch’s consent for any marriage of a royal, and the government of the day, led by Prime Minister Anthony Eden, advised the Queen that such a marriage would be unacceptable.
The Decision and Its Aftermath
After years of deliberation and immense public speculation, Princess Margaret issued a statement in 1955. She confirmed that she would not marry Peter Townsend, mindful of the Church’s teaching that Christian marriage is indissoluble, and conscious of her duty to the Commonwealth. The decision was a painful personal sacrifice, and the story remains a defining moment in the history of the royal family, symbolizing the tension between personal happiness and public duty.
The Church of England’s opposition to remarriage after divorce was absolute at the time. This rule was not relaxed until later in the 20th century. The affair highlighted the rigid moral codes that governed the royal family and the establishment in post-war Britain, making Margaret’s choice a powerful illustration of the era’s constraints.
It is a topic of high certainty among biographers that Margaret and Townsend were deeply in love. Multiple biographies and their own statements confirm the relationship was genuine. What remains a subject of speculation is whether she ever fully moved on from him emotionally. The story has been dramatized extensively in popular culture, most notably in the television series The Crown.
How Did Princess Margaret Die and What Were the Circumstances?
Princess Margaret died on 9 February 2002 at King Edward VII’s Hospital in London, at the age of 71. Her death marked the end of an era for the royal family and came just weeks before the 100th birthday of her mother, the Queen Mother.
Health Problems and Cause of Death
Margaret’s health had been declining for several years. She had been a heavy smoker for much of her life, which led to significant health complications. In 1998, she suffered a stroke and was hospitalized. Her health deteriorated further in 2001, during which she suffered additional strokes. The official cause of death, as documented on her death certificate, was cardiac complications following a stroke, often summarized as cardiovascular disease. Some sources mention lung issues, but the primary cause established is cardiac.
The Funeral and Burial
Princess Margaret’s funeral was held on 15 February 2002 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. In a break with tradition, she was cremated, which was unusual for a member of the Royal Family. Her ashes were initially placed in the Royal Vault at St George’s Chapel and were later interred in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, where her parents and sister (the Queen) are also buried.
What Is Princess Margaret’s Lasting Legacy and Public Perception?
Princess Margaret is remembered as one of the most famous royal figures of the 20th century. She is admired for her style, charisma, and intelligence, but also discussed extensively for her turbulent private life and sometimes difficult personality. Her story is closely associated with the conflict between royal duty and personal desire, a theme that resonates strongly in the modern era.
On platforms like Reddit, discussions about Princess Margaret often focus on her portrayal in The Crown and comparisons with other royals. The sustained interest in her life indicates a deep cultural fascination with the human stories behind the monarchy. Her legacy is also tied to the modernization of the royal institution; her divorce and public struggles helped pave the way for greater acceptance of personal choice among later generations of royals.
The official Princess Margaret – The Royal Family website provides an authoritative summary of her life, while more detailed biographical accounts can be found on Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon – Wikipedia. Media coverage from outlets like Princess Margaret – People.com and Princess Margaret – BBC History offer further perspectives. Historical context regarding her famous relationship is discussed in Royal Marriages Act and the Townsend Affair – The Guardian archive.
Timeline of Princess Margaret’s Life and Death
- 1930: Born on 21 August at Glamis Castle.
- 1952: Death of her father, King George VI. Her sister becomes Queen Elizabeth II.
- 1953: Romance with Peter Townsend becomes public; he is divorced, causing a constitutional crisis.
- 1955: Princess Margaret announces she will not marry Peter Townsend due to Church and government opposition.
- 1960: Marries Antony Armstrong-Jones (later Earl of Snowdon).
- 1961: Birth of son David.
- 1964: Birth of daughter Sarah.
- 1978: Divorce from Lord Snowdon.
- 1998: Suffers a stroke and is hospitalized.
- 2001: Health declines; suffers further strokes. Hospitalized at King Edward VII’s Hospital.
- 2002: Dies on 9 February at King Edward VII’s Hospital in London.
- 2002: Funeral held at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 15 February.
What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear About Her Life?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend had a deep, confirmed romantic relationship. | Whether she ever fully got over him emotionally remains speculative; no definitive proof exists. |
| Cause of death confirmed as cardiac complications following a stroke; official certificate states “cardiovascular disease.” | Some sources attribute the cause to lung cancer or emphysema, but the primary established cause is cardiac. |
| She never expressed any ambition to become queen and was content as a senior royal. | Rumors of jealousy towards her sister, Queen Elizabeth II, are unsubstantiated and remain speculation. |
How Did the Peter Townsend Affair Reflect Broader Changes in Britain?
Princess Margaret lived through a period of intense change in the British monarchy, from post-war austerity to the modern era of media scrutiny. Her life reflected the tensions between tradition and personal freedom. The Peter Townsend affair highlighted the Church of England’s strict stance on remarriage after divorce, a rule that later relaxed. Her divorce in 1978 was a landmark for the royal family, preceding the more public divorces of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Her health issues, exacerbated by heavy smoking and drinking, were common among her social circle but later seen as cautionary.
For more context on her sister’s reign, you can read our Queen Elizabeth II biography.
Sources and Notable Quotes
“I am going to marry the man I love, and I don’t care what anyone thinks.”
Attributed to Princess Margaret regarding Peter Townsend (though possibly apocryphal).
“She was the most rebellious of the royals, but also the most vulnerable.”
Common theme in biographies; specific attribution varies.
The official biography is hosted by the Royal Family official encyclopedia entry. Comprehensive details with citations are available on the Comprehensive Wikipedia article with citations.
What Is the Enduring Significance of Princess Margaret’s Story?
Princess Margaret’s life story encapsulates the struggle between personal happiness and public duty, a theme that continues to fascinate. The enduring interest in her life is likely to continue with future seasons of The Crown and renewed discussion of her role in modernizing the monarchy. Upcoming biographies or documentaries may surface new details about her private life, ensuring her story remains relevant. For further context on her family, you can read our Queen Elizabeth II biography and explore the broader British royal family timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Princess Margaret’s cause of death?
She died from cardiac complications following a stroke on 9 February 2002.
Why didn’t Princess Margaret marry Peter Townsend?
The Church of England and the government opposed the marriage because Townsend was a divorced man. The Royal Marriages Act also required the monarch’s consent, which was withheld.
How many children did Princess Margaret have?
Two: David Armstrong-Jones (born 1961) and Lady Sarah Chatto (born 1964).
What was Princess Margaret’s relationship with Queen Elizabeth II?
They were very close as children, but later diverged due to Margaret’s more rebellious lifestyle. Still, they remained supportive.
Was Princess Margaret a smoker?
Yes, she was a heavy smoker, which contributed to her poor health in later years.
What is the Princess Margaret Hospital?
There are hospitals named after her, but she died at King Edward VII’s Hospital, not Princess Margaret Hospital.
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Amelia Foster covers the economy, business and consumer affairs for BritView.uk.