Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (Margaret Rose; 21 August 1930 – 9 February 2002) was the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II and the younger daughter of King George VI.
Margaret spent much of her childhood years in the company of her older sister and parents. Her life changed dramatically in 1936, when her paternal uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated to marry the divorced American Wallis Simpson. Margaret's father became King in Edward's place, and her older sister became heiress presumptive with Margaret second in line to the throne.
During World War II, the two sisters stayed at Windsor Castle, despite government pressure to evacuate to Canada. During the war years, Margaret was not expected to perform any public or official duties, and instead continued her education.
After the war, she fell in love with a divorced older man, Group Captain Peter Townsend, her father's equerry. Her father died at around the same time, and her sister became Queen. Many in the government felt that Townsend was an unsuitable husband for the Queen's sister, and the Church of England refused to countenance the marriage.
Under pressure, Margaret chose to abandon her plans, and instead accepted the proposal of the photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, who was created Earl of Snowdon by Elizabeth II. The marriage, despite an auspicious start, soon became unhappy; the couple divorced in 1978.
Margaret was often viewed as a controversial member of the Royal Family. Her divorce earned her negative publicity, and she was romantically linked with several men. Her health gradually deteriorated in the final two decades of her life; a heavy smoker all her adult life, she had a lung operation in 1985, a bout of pneumonia in 1993, and at least three strokes between 1998 and 2001.
Margaret died at King Edward VII Hospital, London on 9 February 2002. After a private funeral, her body was cremated. Two months later, after the death of her mother, Margaret's ashes were interred beside the bodies of her parents in the George VI Memorial Chapel at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
It's interesting to note that, unless special provisions are made, if the Cambridge's were to have a daughter as their first child and then a son as their second, only the son would be an HRH. Only the first son of the first son of the Prince of Wales is styled as a Prince, the other children would be styled as children of a Duke.
The first would be plain old Lady ___ and a Prince would be His Royal Highness Prince __. I'm sure the Queen would bestow titles on all the children, though.
...talk about the pot calling the kettle black, what with her rebuke to Fergie
histrav 1 month ago
Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (Margaret Rose; 21 August 1930 – 9 February 2002) was the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II and the younger daughter of King George VI.
SuperGreatSphinx 1 month ago
Margaret spent much of her childhood years in the company of her older sister and parents. Her life changed dramatically in 1936, when her paternal uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated to marry the divorced American Wallis Simpson. Margaret's father became King in Edward's place, and her older sister became heiress presumptive with Margaret second in line to the throne.
SuperGreatSphinx 1 month ago
During World War II, the two sisters stayed at Windsor Castle, despite government pressure to evacuate to Canada. During the war years, Margaret was not expected to perform any public or official duties, and instead continued her education.
SuperGreatSphinx 1 month ago
After the war, she fell in love with a divorced older man, Group Captain Peter Townsend, her father's equerry. Her father died at around the same time, and her sister became Queen. Many in the government felt that Townsend was an unsuitable husband for the Queen's sister, and the Church of England refused to countenance the marriage.
SuperGreatSphinx 1 month ago
Under pressure, Margaret chose to abandon her plans, and instead accepted the proposal of the photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, who was created Earl of Snowdon by Elizabeth II. The marriage, despite an auspicious start, soon became unhappy; the couple divorced in 1978.
SuperGreatSphinx 1 month ago
Margaret was often viewed as a controversial member of the Royal Family. Her divorce earned her negative publicity, and she was romantically linked with several men. Her health gradually deteriorated in the final two decades of her life; a heavy smoker all her adult life, she had a lung operation in 1985, a bout of pneumonia in 1993, and at least three strokes between 1998 and 2001.
SuperGreatSphinx 1 month ago
Margaret died at King Edward VII Hospital, London on 9 February 2002. After a private funeral, her body was cremated. Two months later, after the death of her mother, Margaret's ashes were interred beside the bodies of her parents in the George VI Memorial Chapel at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
SuperGreatSphinx 1 month ago
I am guessing Margaret was a depressed woman, somewhat? It seems that way.
SableWWFOriginalDiva 1 month ago
Was Margaret the mistress of the Duke of Edingburgh?
enya930 2 months ago
Princess Margaret and prince Harry, they're interchangeable
BMXrider750 2 months ago
why ALWAys she looks old? even when she was a younger LOL
badeesh 3 months ago
@badeesh Cigarettes, alcohol, hard partying.
firmingitup 3 months ago
@SouthsideofGlasgow oh you better believe it. I'd be in like flynn
sarabower1 5 months ago
@SouthsideofGlasgow Do you know if I could have any man on earth it would be Prince Charles.
I love Prince Phillip too and you're right he is funny as hell.
You wouldn't pull the Queen? C'mon. Princess Anne was good looking when she was young.
sarabower1 5 months ago
Besides Diana, she was the most beautiful royal woman. Far prettier than
the plain looking Duchess of Cambridge
sarabower1 5 months ago
does anyone recognize the music soundtrack (piano mostly) in this doc? It sounds like it comes from a film, but I cant place it.
mrlopez2681 5 months ago
See the movie The Bank Job. Talk about disgrace. You just can't believe that was a true story.
nellgwen48 6 months ago
It's interesting to note that, unless special provisions are made, if the Cambridge's were to have a daughter as their first child and then a son as their second, only the son would be an HRH. Only the first son of the first son of the Prince of Wales is styled as a Prince, the other children would be styled as children of a Duke.
The first would be plain old Lady ___ and a Prince would be His Royal Highness Prince __. I'm sure the Queen would bestow titles on all the children, though.
counterhon 6 months ago in playlist ..sort 2-40
very interesting,thanks for posting:)
TheLorraine64 7 months ago
When was this documentary made?
324wilson 7 months ago
@324wilson I'm not sure when it was made but it aired in 1997 if thats any help.
AngelEyesz89 7 months ago
@324wilson February 1997
ThePratinTheHat 5 months ago