Princess Margaret & Tony Armstrong-Jones: Behind the Royal Romance

The marriage between Princess Margaret, sister to Queen Elizabeth II, and Antony Armstrong-Jones, later known as Lord Snowdon, stands as one of the most scandalous chapters in modern royal history. Their fairy-tale beginning quickly devolved into a storm of secrets, rumors, and heartbreak, a saga now dramatized in Netflix’s The Crown. Explore the truth beneath the glitz, tracing their relationship from secret courtship to public separation.

Contents

How the Royal Romance Began

Margaret and Tony’s paths first crossed in 1958 at an intimate dinner hosted by Lady Elizabeth Cavendish in Chelsea. Although Armstrong-Jones initially made little impression on the Princess, their relationship deepened after Tony was chosen to photograph her—a moment that sparked an uneasily kept royal secret.

  • Margaret was recently single following her highly publicized romance with Group Captain Peter Townsend—a relationship doomed by royal protocol.
  • By 1958, Tony, a charismatic society photographer, began to intrigue Margaret with his wit and energetic presence.
  • Their courtship was highly clandestine, with only a handful of confidantes aware of their growing closeness. At this time, Tony was still seeing other women, most notably Jacqui Chan and Gina Ward.

Margaret was drawn to Tony’s unconventional, bohemian aura—a dramatic departure from the reserved world she inhabited.

Engagement & Wedding: Shock and Celebration

When Clarence House announced Princess Margaret’s engagement to Armstrong-Jones in February 1960, the public was stunned. Tony personally designed a floral-themed engagement ring, a ruby surrounded by diamonds, referencing Margaret’s middle name, “Rose.”

  • The announcement surprised society insiders and the press alike. Few had any inkling that the Princess was seeing Tony, let alone planning to marry him.
  • This engagement was untouched by the previous scandal with Peter Townsend, as Tony was neither divorced nor subject to royal restrictions.
  • The wedding—held on May 6, 1960, at Westminster Abbey—marked a new chapter for both Margaret and Tony, with 2,000 guests and widespread media attention.
  • Notable wedding details:
    • A white-tie ball was held at Buckingham Palace two days before the event.
    • The Archbishop of Canterbury and British Prime Minister attended.
    • The union symbolized a break from tradition—Tony was a commoner and a working photographer, not an aristocrat.

The Glamorous, Unconventional Couple

The couple quickly became iconic post-wedding, embodying the swinging spirit of the 1960s. Margaret—vibrant, passionate, and surrounded by an aura of royalty—paired with Tony’s wit and creativity to charm not only high society but the wider world.

  • They were the cultural elite, befriending artists, writers, and musicians. Their social circle brought new energy to royal engagements.
  • Margaret’s legendary beauty and Tony’s status as an “outsider” made them the intriguing couple of the era.
  • Behind the scenes, however, their differences—Tony’s restlessness and Margaret’s need for devotion—created increasing tension.

Despite public appearances, the cracks began to show early.

Cracks in the Marriage: Affairs & Scandals

Though their partnership initially seemed destined for success, Tony and Margaret’s marriage grew tumultuous. Armstrong-Jones’s ongoing affairs and Margaret’s struggle with royal pressures led to a cycle of separation and reunion.

Scandal Details Impact on Marriage
Tony’s infidelity Tony’s long-term girlfriends, Jacqui Chan and Gina Ward, were unaware of his royal engagement. During the honeymoon, Tony’s former lover Camilla Fry gave birth to his child, revealing a shocking secret. Margaret was blindsided, fueling distrust and resentment. The press eventually caught wind, tarnishing their public image.
Media scrutiny The press grew obsessed with rumors, especially after the revelation that Tony fathered a child weeks after marrying Margaret. The scandal heightened tension and led to increased isolation for Margaret.
Royal expectations Margaret’s obligations as a royal made private reconciliation difficult. Tony felt out of place in the rigid structure of palace life. The couple’s personalities and backgrounds clashed, intensifying feelings of alienation.
  • Both partners sought comfort in extramarital affairs.
  • Tony’s artistic circles included various romantic entanglements and rumors—some involving both men and women.

Princess Margaret’s Affair and the Final Breakdown

In the latter years of the marriage, their estrangement became public. Margaret, feeling neglected and vulnerable, was linked to several high-profile affairs.

  • Her relationship with the society pianist Robin Douglas-Home, and later Anthony Barton, were gossip magnets.
  • Margaret’s most famous affair was with Roddy Llewellyn, a younger landscape gardener. Photographs of them vacationing in Mustique spread like wildfire, making headlines around the world.
  • The scandal surrounding Mustique effectively ended Tony and Margaret’s marriage. In 1976, the couple separated; their divorce was finalized in 1978.

The Aftermath: Loneliness and Legacy

Margaret did not remarry after her divorce. She remained a prominent member of the royal family but grew increasingly isolated and beset by health problems.

  • She threw herself into royal duties, family commitments, and social events.
  • Tony Armstrong-Jones, meanwhile, continued his work in photography and design, maintaining relationships but never fully escaping the shadow of his former marriage.
  • Margaret’s health declined with the years, and she became a symbol of royal vulnerability, marked by heartbreak.
  • Their two children, David and Sarah, witnessed their parents’ turbulent relationship firsthand.

The complexity and drama of Margaret and Tony’s marriage ensured its legacy as a cautionary tale about the intersection of love, royalty, and fame.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Who were Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones?

Princess Margaret was the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II. Antony Armstrong-Jones was a renowned society photographer who later became Earl of Snowdon upon his marriage to Margaret.

Q: How did their relationship begin?

They met at a 1958 dinner party and deepened their relationship after Tony photographed the Princess. Their romance remained secret until their engagement was announced to the public.

Q: What were the main causes of their marital breakdown?

Their marriage was undermined by affairs on both sides, differences in personalities, and the pressures of royal life. Scandals involving infidelity and media scrutiny accelerated their separation.

Q: Did Princess Margaret remarry after her divorce?

No, Margaret never remarried. She remained committed to royal engagements and her family.

Q: How does The Crown depict their relationship?

Netflix’s The Crown dramatizes the romance, exploring both the passion and heartache of this royal couple, highlighting the social changes and personal upheavals that shaped their lives.

Key Takeaways

  • The marriage between Princess Margaret and Tony Armstrong-Jones began with clandestine romance and ended with catastrophic scandal.
  • Both parties struggled with infidelity, personal differences, and the intense pressure of public life.
  • Their story continues to captivate audiences, serving as a pivotal plot in royal history and pop culture, especially through shows like The Crown.

References

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgUrhsb81vw
  2. https://www.historyextra.com/period/20th-century/lord-snowdon-princess-margaret-marriage-divorce-died-children-affairs-crown/
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_of_Princess_Margaret_and_Antony_Armstrong-Jones
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antony_Armstrong-Jones,_1st_Earl_of_Snowdon
  5. https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a29668117/lord-snowdon-antony-armstrong-jones-princess-margaret-husband-facts/