Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, was born four years after her elder sister Queen Elizabeth II. After the abdication of her uncle King Edward VIII to marry the divorced American Mrs Wallis Simpson, their father Prince Albert became King George VI, and Princess Margaret became second in line to the throne behind her sister Princess Elizabeth.
Princess Margaret spent an active and varied life in the Royal Family's public work, supporting the work of her sister, The Queen.
Birth and Parents
Princess Margaret was born on August 21st 1930 at Glamis Castle, Scotland, the second child of Prince Albert, The Duke of York, and his wife Elizabeth, the Duchess of York. The Duke and Duchess became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth after King Edward VIII's abdication.
Princess Margaret was christened Margaret Rose on October 30th 1930 in the private chapel of Buckingham Palace by Cosmo Lang, The Archbishop of Canterbury.
After the death of her father, King George VI, in 1952, Princess Margaret and her mother, then Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, moved into Clarence House.
Wedding to Antony Armstrong-Jones
After the Second World War Princess Margaret fell in love with her father's equerry, Group Captain Peter Townsend, a divorced older man. This occurred at the same time as King George VI, her father, died and her sister became Queen.
Many people did not feel that Group Captain Townsend was a suitable husband for the Queen's sister, and the Church of England refused to support their marriage. Under pressure, but of her own accord, Princess Margaret abandoned her plans to marry the Group Captain, and accepted a proposal of marriage from Antony Armstrong-Jones, a photographer.
The couple were married in Westminster Abbey on May 6th, 1960, honeymooning in the West Indies. The wedding was the first Royal wedding to be televised, and was watched by 300 million people worldwide.
Queen Elizabeth II created Antony Armstrong-Jones as Earl of Snowdon and Viscount Linley in October 1961.
Children
Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon had two children:
- David Arthur Charles, Viscount Linley, born on November 3rd 1961, currently 14th in the line of succession to the throne
- Lady Sarah Frances Elizabeth, born on May 1st 1964
Divorce
The Snowdon's marriage had drifted apart by the early 1970s, amid stories of her extra-marital affairs. In early 1976 the couple acknowledged their marriage was over, after pictures of Princess Margaret and Roddy Llewellyn in swimsuits were printed in the News of the World. The Snowdon's divorce was finalised on July 11th 1978.
Charities: Patron and President
Princess Margaret was Patron or President of more than 80 organisations, many concerned with activities for young people, children's well-being, and caring for the sick. She was president of both the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and the Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
Princess Margaret also had a great enthusiasm for music and ballet, and became the first President of the Royal Ballet. She was also President of the Sadler’s Wells Foundation.
As a child, Princess Margaret joined the Brownies, and when she was old enough, the Girl Guides. She always maintained close links with Guiding, and was President and Chairman of the Council of the Girl Guides Association until her death.
Death and Burial
The last two decades of the Princess's life were marred by poor health. She died in the King Edward VII Hospital on February 9th 2002, aged 71, after a stroke. Princess Margaret is buried in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Funeral
Princess Margaret's funeral was held on February 15th 2002, the 50th anniversary of her father's funeral. As requested by the Princess, the funeral was a private service for family and friends, with the Queen Mother attending on her last public engagement.
A state memorial service was held at Westminster Abbey on April 19th 2002.
Unusually for a member of the Royal family, Princess Margaret was cremated. Two months later, after the death of her mother, Princess Margaret's ashes were placed in her parents' tomb in King George VI Memorial Chapel in St. George Chapel, Windsor Castle..
Film: Girls' Night Out
Girls' Night Out will star Dakota Fanning, as the 15 year old Princess Margaret, and as yet unnamed actress, as the 19 year old Princess Elizabeth, in a film about the night the two Princesses were allowed out of Buckingam Palace to celebrate the end of World War II in Eurpoe.
Sources:
The British Royal Family History
Mark Tibbits - A professional writer and educator who writes about Astrology, South Asia/China, the UK, the British Royal Family, and Religion.
Join the Conversation