Exploring The Turbulent Love Life Of Princess Margaret

Britain's Princess Margaret was beautiful, charming, and had the world at her feet, but she never had an easy time in her love life. She was kept from marrying her first love, and though initially happy when she wed another man, that relationship soon turned sour. A search for companionship ended up exposing her to condemnation. In her later years, she was often lonely. But at least her romantic lows made it easier for other members of the royal family to find love themselves.

Princess Margaret's First Love: A Divorcé

At Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953, Princess Margaret was spotted intimately interacting with Group Captain Peter Townsend. This relationship soon became public, shedding light on the barriers they faced. Townsend, a hero in World War II, was a commoner, 16 years older than Margaret, and had been divorced.

Due to the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, Margaret needed the queen's permission to marry. However, Elizabeth and her advisors were unwilling to sanction a marriage between a divorced man and a royal family member. At that time, the Church of England didn't recognize divorce, putting additional strain on their relationship. To separate them, Townsend was sent abroad as an air attaché, ensuring he would be away when Margaret returned from a tour of Rhodesia.

Reunion and Heartbreak

Margaret and Townsend managed to stay in touch while he was abroad and were reunited in October 1955. By then, she was 25 and no longer required the queen's approval to marry. However, at the end of that month, Margaret made the difficult decision to abandon the relationship. In her public statement, she expressed that she had chosen to prioritize her duties to the Commonwealth and the teachings of the Church over her personal happiness.

For years, many believed that Margaret had been pressured by the church, government, and palace to make this decision. Conventional wisdom suggested she had been threatened with losing her title and royal income. In contrast, documents from the National Archives revealed that the government had devised a plan allowing Margaret to marry Townsend without losing her royal status, provided she renounced her rights to the throne for herself and her children.

Marriage to Anthony Armstrong-Jones

When Margaret was 26, she briefly became engaged to a wealthy member of her social circle, Billy Wallace. However, their engagement ended when Wallace revealed he'd had a fling while vacationing in the Bahamas. Speculation about her romantic life continued until February 1960, when Margaret announced her engagement to photographer Anthony Armstrong-Jones.

Armstrong-Jones was a surprising choice for the conservative establishment, as he was a commoner and required to work. Rumored to be bisexual, he never confirmed his sexuality but noted that while he didn't fall in love with boys, some men had been in love with him. Despite this, Margaret's family supported the engagement, seeing how happy he made her.

Initial Happiness and Cultural Transformation

After marrying on May 6, 1960, Margaret and Armstrong-Jones were initially very happy. They welcomed two children, with Armstrong-Jones becoming Lord Snowdon so their children would have titles. He introduced Margaret to the vibrant 1960s culture, and she later remarked on how he understood her role and encouraged her to explore new opportunities.

While they shared many joyful moments, their marriage was not without challenges. Both partners strayed from their vows, leading to a turbulent relationship filled with infidelity. Margaret's need for companionship and Snowdon's dissatisfaction with royal life created a rift that was hard to bridge.

Infidelity and the Breaking Point

Margaret's husband, Anthony, soon grew tired of royal life and sought other career opportunities. This left Margaret feeling lonely and possessive, leading her to search for his whereabouts as he distanced himself. Their differing expectations and lifestyles led to mutual infidelity, with both partners seeking love outside of their marriage.

While Margaret had her affairs, including a brief relationship with Robin Douglas-Home, Snowdon's infidelities were more public. He even fathered a child during their honeymoon, a fact that was only confirmed years later through DNA testing. The couple's inability to remain faithful to each other ultimately contributed to the unraveling of their marriage.

The Affair with Roddy Llewellyn

In September 1973, Margaret met a younger man named Roddy Llewellyn, which would further complicate her marriage. Their relationship quickly blossomed, with Margaret spending time on a commune with him and at her Caribbean home on Mustique. Their affair attracted significant media attention, which only served to increase the distance between Margaret and Snowdon.

Public scrutiny intensified when they were photographed together in revealing attire, prompting Snowdon to move out of Kensington Palace. While Margaret faced criticism for her relationship with a younger man, Snowdon garnered sympathy despite his own disloyalty. In March 1976, the couple publicly announced their decision to live apart.

The First Royal Divorce in Centuries

Although the queen wanted Margaret to end her relationship with Llewellyn, the princess felt that he was a source of love and support she could not live without. In May 1978, Margaret filed for divorce, which was granted in July, marking her as the first royal to divorce since Henry VIII in 1533. Snowdon moved on to marry Lucy Lindsay-Hogg soon after.

Despite her later relationships, including one with Llewellyn, Margaret often felt lonely in her final years. However, her experiences paved the way for subsequent royal divorces, making it easier for family members like Princess Anne and Prince Charles to seek happiness outside of marriage. Margaret's turbulent love life serves as a reminder of the complexities of love and duty within the royal family.