The Controversial Life Of Princess Margaret

The Controversial Life Of Princess Margaret

<p>At just 13 years old, Princess Margaret was known for her flirty behaviours, and although for the most part, it was harmless. There were, however, some moments that were obviously meant to shock her ever-present audience. When a family friend and crush of the young princess, Peter Townsend, attended a family dinner, it is said that the princess ordered Townsen, who is 15 years her senior, to carry her up the stairs to bed. Mind you, this was all in front of her own father, King George VI!</p>
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Princess Margaret

At just 13 years old, Princess Margaret was known for her flirty behaviours and although for the most part it was harmless, there were some moments that were obviously meant to shock her ever-present audience.It is said that when a family friend and crush of the young princess, Peter Townsend, attended a family dinner, the princess ordered Townsend, 15 years her senior, to carry her up the stairs to bed. Mind you, this was all in front of her own father, King George VI!

<p>Eventually, after years of convincing and flirtation, Princess Margaret entered an affair with Townsend, despite the fact he was married. Furthermore, their romance went against plenty of Royal rules, but that didn’t stop the Princess! Eventually, Townsend divorced his wife and promptly asked his mistress to marry him. In an enthusiastic yes, Margaret was thrilled to have this opportunity to be with the love of her life - that is of course until Royal rules prevented this from happening.</p>
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Princess Margaret

Eventually, after years of convincing and flirtation, Princess Margaret entered an affair with Townsend, despite the fact he was married. Furthermore, their romance went against plenty of Royal rules, but that didn’t stop the Princess! Eventually, Townsend divorced his wife and promptly asked his mistress to marry him. In an enthusiastic yes, Margaret was thrilled to have this opportunity to be with the love of her life - that is of course until Royal rules prevented this from happening.

<p>Queen Elizabeth II tried tirelessly to figure out a way that her sister could marry the man she wanted but unfortunately couldn’t swing it. They were told their marriage couldn’t happen, not only was Townsend divorced, but he didn’t have any Royal connection, and therefore if Margaret married Townsend, she would lose out on her title. Margaret obliged - for the camera’s that is, and the two met privately at the Clarence House in London. While hiding away from the cameras and their families, Margaret was caught in a media frenzy when she affectionately picked lint off of Townsend’s jacket, and the media picked up on such a careless intimate moment. </p>
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Princess Margaret

Queen Elizabeth II tried tirelessly to figure out a way that her sister could marry the man she wanted but unfortunately couldn’t swing it. They were told their marriage couldn’t happen, not only was Townsend divorced, but he didn’t have any Royal connection, and therefore if Margaret married Townsend, she would lose out on her title. Margaret obliged - for the camera’s that is, and the two met privately at the Clarence House in London. While hiding away from the cameras and their families, Margaret was caught in a media frenzy when she affectionately picked lint off of Townsend’s jacket, and the media picked up on such a careless intimate moment. 

<p>After the media whirlwind, Margaret was stuck between choosing Townsend or losing her title, allowance, and family estates. While it was probably the toughest decision the Princess had to make, she ultimately chose to end the engagement, admitting that she wasn’t sure she could ever live as a civilian. Of course, this broke her heart, but the Princess wasn’t ever too far away from more men.</p>
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Princess Margaret

After the media whirlwind, Margaret was stuck between choosing Townsend or losing her title, allowance, and family estates. While it was probably the toughest decision the Princess had to make, she ultimately chose to end the engagement, admitting that she wasn’t sure she could ever live as a civilian. Of course, this broke her heart, but the Princess wasn’t ever too far away from more men.

<p>Following her brief engagement, Princess Margaret had another whirlwind affair with a Canadian Prime Minister’s nephew, Robin Douglas-Home. Although she initially denied the romance, no one believed her when she insisted the relationship was just platonic. Eventually, she was caught red-handed in a lie when letters sent between the two hit the press, and the relationship came abruptly to an end.</p>
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Princess Margaret

Following her brief engagement, Princess Margaret had another whirlwind affair with a Canadian Prime Minister’s nephew, Robin Douglas-Home. Although she initially denied the romance, no one believed her when she insisted the relationship was just platonic. Eventually, she was caught red-handed in a lie when letters sent between the two hit the press, and the relationship came abruptly to an end.

<p>Eventually, Princess Margaret was the cause of yet another stir, when photos of the Royal circulated of her seemingly nude, front page of every London newspaper. The photograph in question was taken by none other than her future husband, Antony Armstrong-Jones. While this romance was also controversial within the Royal family, the two were allowed to marry and tied the knot in 1960.</p>
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Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong Jones

Eventually, Princess Margaret was the cause of yet another stir, when photos of the Royal circulated of her seemingly nude, front page of every London newspaper. The photograph in question was taken by none other than her future husband, Antony Armstrong-Jones. While this romance was also controversial within the Royal family, the two were allowed to marry and tied the knot in 1960.

<p>All was well for the couple for a good 10 minutes until rumours started circulating that Armstrong-Jones had a mistress, or two before the ink had dried on their marriage certificate. As their marriage started to twist and turn into a nasty arrangement, Margret started finding little notes around the house. Not love letters, as one would assume from a husband, but in fact quite the opposite. These notes were full of nasty messages, and even some with a blatant “I hate you” written on them. Unfortunately, the family didn’t listen to Margaret in regards to the emotional abuse she was subjected to and refused her requests for a divorce.</p>
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Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong Jones

All was well for the couple for a good 10 minutes until rumours started circulating that Armstrong-Jones had a mistress, or two before the ink had dried on their marriage certificate. As their marriage started to twist and turn into a nasty arrangement, Margret started finding little notes around the house. Not love letters, as one would assume from a husband, but in fact quite the opposite. These notes were full of nasty messages, and even some with a blatant “I hate you” written on them. Unfortunately, the family didn’t listen to Margaret in regards to the emotional abuse she was subjected to and refused her requests for a divorce.

<p>Due to her unforgiving husband, Margaret became further addicted to a party lifestyle, and it was said she had the wildest morning routine. The Princess would wake and have breakfast at 9 am, usually just coffee and cigarettes and would read newspapers and magazines until 12 pm, where she would then order a straight vodka as a little afternoon pick-me-up.It was a constant battle Margaret faced with her smoking and drinking, and it was said that she was so addicted to the combination she would glue a matchbox onto her bottles so that she could easily smoke while she drank.</p>
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Princess Margaret

Due to her unforgiving husband, Margaret became further addicted to a party lifestyle, and it was said she had the wildest morning routine. The Princess would wake and have breakfast at 9 am, usually just coffee and cigarettes and would read newspapers and magazines until 12 pm, where she would then order a straight vodka as a little afternoon pick-me-up.It was a constant battle Margaret faced with her smoking and drinking, and it was said that she was so addicted to the combination she would glue a matchbox onto her bottles so that she could easily smoke while she drank.

<p>Margaret and Antony did end up having children together, and they were quite estranged despite being married. There were a lot of nasty comments surrounding her bouts with motherhood, and in the 1970s, and ex-boyfriend gifted her an entire island. Yes, that’s right, a whole island! Margaret would then spend weeks at her private oasis, far away from her insulting husband.</p>
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Princess Margaret

Margaret and Antony did end up having children together, and they were quite estranged despite being married. There were a lot of nasty comments surrounding her bouts with motherhood, and in the 1970s, an ex-boyfriend gifted her an entire island. Yes, that’s right, a whole island! Margaret would then spend weeks at her private oasis, far away from her children and the scrutiny of her husband's insults.

<p>Things continued to spiral with Antony, and it was said that at a party in New York, the hostess asked the Princess how the Queen was doing. Much to her surprise, Margaret responded, “Which one? My sister, my mother, or my husband?”. Margaret was always known for her quick wit, and sometimes it was rather cruel. At another party, Princess Margaret was sat next to the infamous supermodel, Twiggy. Apparently, the whole night Margaret ignored her, before finally turning to her and asking, "And who are you?". Twiggy replied, "My name's Lesley Hornby, Ma'am, but everyone calls me Twiggy." Princess Margaret just simply replied, "Oh, how unfortunate", and carried on the rest of her evening ignoring the model.</p>
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Princess Margaret

Things continued to spiral with Antony, and it was said that at a party in New York, the hostess asked the Princess how the Queen was doing. Much to her surprise, Margaret responded, “Which one? My sister, my mother, or my husband?”. Margaret was always known for her quick wit, and sometimes it was rather cruel. At another party, Princess Margaret was sat next to the infamous supermodel, Twiggy. Apparently, the whole night Margaret ignored her, before finally turning to her and asking, "And who are you?". Twiggy replied, "My name's Lesley Hornby, Ma'am, but everyone calls me Twiggy." Princess Margaret just simply replied, "Oh, how unfortunate", and carried on the rest of her evening ignoring the model.

<p>Due to her unforgiving husband, Margaret became further addicted to a party lifestyle, and it was said she had the wildest morning routine. The Princess would wake and have breakfast at 9 am, usually just coffee and cigarettes and would read newspapers and magazines until 12 pm, where she would then order a straight vodka as a little afternoon pick-me-up.It was a constant battle Margaret faced with her smoking and drinking, and it was said that she was so addicted to the combination she would glue a matchbox onto her bottles so that she could easily smoke while she drank.</p>
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Princess Margaret

Entering the 70s, Princess Margaret continued to get nastier as her marriage was causing her much grief. Her biggest escape was an island, in which she was often jet-setting to party to her heart’s content, and you guessed it, taking the opportunity to sample some of the touring men. Most notably, Margaret started an affair with a gentleman 17 years her junior, and the two caught in a sandy romance. Roddy Llewellyn and Princess Margaret were photographed together multiple times at this getaway, which finally set the Princess free from her estranged husband

<p>Following the proof that Margaret was unfaithful, Antony filed for divorce, sending Margaret’s private secretary, Nigel Napier, to deliver the news. It was said that she very calmly and quietly just said to him, "Thank you, Nigel. I think that’s the best news you’ve ever given me". The two separated in 1978, and Margaret continued to visit her island and party to her heart’s content.</p>
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Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones

Following the proof that Margaret was unfaithful, Antony filed for divorce, sending Margaret’s private secretary, Nigel Napier, to deliver the news. It was said that she very calmly and quietly just said to him, "Thank you, Nigel. I think that’s the best news you’ve ever given me". The two separated in 1978, and Margaret continued to visit her island and party to her heart’s content.

<p>While it would seem that Margaret got what she wanted, her mental health continued to spiral, and while her beau, Roddy, went on an unexpected trip to Turkey, and her ex-husband already had another woman on his arm, the Princess took a questionable amount of nitrazepam, a sleeping pill that she swallowed down with alcohol. Speculations on whether or not it was a suicide attempt were never confirmed nor denied, but regardless, Margaret was rushed to a hospital where she eventually recovered.</p>
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Princess Margaret

While it would seem that Margaret got what she wanted, her mental health continued to spiral, and while her beau, Roddy, went on an unexpected trip to Turkey, and her ex-husband already had another woman on his arm, the Princess took a questionable amount of nitrazepam, a sleeping pill that she swallowed down with alcohol. Speculations on whether or not it was a suicide attempt were never confirmed nor denied, but regardless, Margaret was rushed to a hospital where she eventually recovered.

<p>Princess Margaret undoubtedly had a colourful life, full of ups and downs, struggles and triumphs, but her true best qualities laid her wit and humour. Her loyalty to her sister, Queen Elizabeth II was always a beacon of light in her life, and Margaret always remained the life of the party. Eventually, of course, the partying and smoking caught up to her, and three days following her father’s anniversary of his death passed away on February 9, 2002. She apparently died peacefully in her sleep after yet another stroke. </p>
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Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones With Their Children

Princess Margaret undoubtedly had a colourful life, full of ups and downs, struggles and triumphs, but her true best qualities laid her wit and humour. Her loyalty to her sister, Queen Elizabeth II was always a beacon of light in her life, and Margaret always remained the life of the party. Eventually, of course, the partying and smoking caught up to her, and three days following her father’s anniversary of his death passed away on February 9, 2002. She apparently died peacefully in her sleep after yet another stroke.