Princess Margaret. Princess Margaret

It is noteworthy that before her, members of the royal family in last time were born in Scotland in the 17th century. Her father is Prince Albert, Duke of York. Princess Margaret was educated at home, as was her sister, the future Queen Elizabeth II. She paid much attention to horseback riding, and besides, she was passionately interested in gardening, music and ballet. During World War II, the family, who refused to evacuate, took refuge in the dungeon of Windsor Castle (Windsor Castle).

In the light, Princess Margaret first appeared on VE Day when she first stood on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in front of the public, surrounded by members of the royal family. After that, Margaret began social work, mandatory for all members of the royal family. It is known that she was different from childhood great taste and was interested in art and fashion.

At the age of 23, Princess Margaret fell in love with Captain Peter Townsend, who served at court. However, there was no question of any wedding with him - Peter was divorced. And, although in essence this meant that he was absolutely free, the Anglican Church and political circles would certainly condemn the princess. So, Townsend was sent away by the Queen, having been appointed military attaché to Belgium. By the time he returned a couple of years later, the princess, despite the fact that she had been waiting for him all this time, changed her mind about marrying - now it seemed impossible for her to marry a divorced man, thereby renouncing royal privileges.

Princess Margaret married Anthony Armstrong-Jones in 1960. Her husband subsequently received the title of Earl of Snowdon and Viscount Linley; two children were born to this family, David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley (1961) and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones (1964).

This marriage, however, did not turn out to be too strong - in 1978 the couple divorced. Lord Snowdon himself later admitted that it was very difficult for him to be the husband of a royal person. The divorce was a real shock to the general public, but by this time it had become too difficult to hide the troubles in the family from prying eyes.

In general, Princess Margaret received the nickname "rebellious princess" for some unbridled and completely inappropriate way of life for a royal offspring. It is known that she spent a lot of time in London clubs, made acquaintances with rockers, smoked and drank inappropriately. In general, of all the members of the royal family, it was Princess Margaret who caused the largest number rumors of false rumors both with his failed personal life and public behavior.

In the 80s, the health of the princess began to fail, and she was forced to give up many of her habits; she began to appear less in public, however, she did not refuse the duties of a member of the royal family. It is known that she supported the arts, was the chairman of the Royal Ballet, and also headed the National Committee for the Prevention abuse with kids.

Margaret lived mostly on Mastic Island, surrounded only by close friends. The last time Princess Margaret appeared before the public during the celebration of the 101st birthday of the Queen Mother in August 2001.

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When royalty ascends the throne, her name remains in history. But what happens to the other applicants? royalty. Unfortunately, their destiny is life in the shadow of their titled relatives. This is exactly what happened with Princess Margaret, the younger sister of the British Queen Elizabeth II. Despite the splendor and luxury of her existence, the "reserve princess" has always suffered from loneliness.

Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret

In the early years of their lives, the sisters were very close. But, when, due to the abdication of the throne of their uncle Edward VIII, it was necessary to enter the throne to their parents, the life of the girls changed dramatically. There was a spirit of rivalry between the sisters. Elizabeth was destined to become queen, so she began endless lessons on the structure of a constitutional monarchy. Margaret was out of work.

Queen Elizabeth II's younger sister Princess Margaret

The real shock for the princess was the death of her father, King George VI, at the age of 56. The mother suddenly moved away from everyone, wearing mourning, Elizabeth II was swallowed up by royal obligations, and the 21-year-old Princess Margaret felt that no one needed her.

Princess Margaret and Captain Peter Townsend

The first scandal associated with the name of the princess happened in 1953. On June 2, during the coronation of Elizabeth II, Margaret had the imprudence to brush off the ashes from the uniform of Captain Peter Townsend. The press regarded this gesture as meaningful and defiant. In fact, the relationship between them lasted for many years. The princess wanted to marry the captain, but he was divorced and had two children. The sister, the archbishop and parliament opposed such a statement, since the royal person did not have the right to marry a divorced person.

Margaret was given an ultimatum: in the event of marriage with Captain Townsend, she was deprived of all royal privileges and life support. 2 years later, Princess Margaret appeared on television and publicly abandoned her intention to marry the captain, citing her obligations to her country.

"Rebel Princess" Margaret

After that, Margaret became embittered and considered that now the whole point of her life would be fun. She began to drink and lead a wild life. Her behavior in in public places becomes extraordinary: the days began with the fulfillment of royal obligations at endless receptions, trips to the theater, and ended invariably in nightclubs.

Princess Margaret was considered a style icon

Despite the intolerable character, Princess Margaret was gladly received in any establishments. She was very attractive. Marble skin, thin waist, sensual mouth. Every outfit in which she appeared was immediately printed in magazines, and then copied by fashionistas.

The princess flirted with the most famous beauties of the time. She was not offended by jokes with obvious overtones. The princess declared: if one sister is a queen, a manifestation of goodness, then the second is destined to be the embodiment of evil and corruption - the queen of the night.

Princess Margaret in her wedding dress

Despite numerous romances, no one suited Margaret's status as a groom. This was very depressing for the girl. In 1959, photographer Anthony Armstrong-Jones asked for the hand of the 29-year-old princess. This led to yet another resonance, as the last time a royal married a commoner was 450 years ago. Queen Elizabeth II nevertheless agreed to the marriage, wishing her sister female happiness.

« spare princess» Margaret

Unfortunately, this relationship did not bring the princess the desired peace, and after 18 years of marriage, she filed for divorce. How much she drank and smoked cigarettes was already legendary. Friends refused under various pretexts to accept her invitations to the palace, because Margaret would start drinking, and they would be stuck until the evening.

Queen Elizabeth II and her sister Princess Margaret

The last years of Margaret were deeply tragic. As a result of an accident where she scalded her legs, the princess was confined to a wheelchair. Her death came on February 9, 2002.
The life of the younger sister was bright, but tragic. The elder sister, Elizabeth II, went down in history as the longest-serving monarch.

Biography of Princess Margaret sad story about the fact that even the inhabitants of royal houses are lonely, that even the title, wealth and fame do not at all guarantee ordinary happiness and love. The life of Princess Margaret Rose passed in the shadow of her sister (the current Queen of Great Britain). However, despite this, Margaret managed to be remembered by the whole world for her love of freedom, courage and even some eccentricity, unusual for the inhabitants of Windsor.

Childhood and youth

Margaret Rose was born on August 21, 1930 at Glamis Castle in Scotland. The girl was youngest daughter and . Godfather Margaret was her paternal uncle, who later became king Edward VIII, and the godmother - the Swedish princess Ingrid (in the future - the Danish queen). When Margaret was six years old, Edward renounced the throne, and the girl's father became king. This moment was a turning point in the fate of Margaret.

In early childhood, Margaret and Elizabeth were inseparable. The girls spent a lot of time together and could not imagine life without each other. However, after the father ascended the throne, a spirit of rivalry appeared between the sisters.

At first it was not obvious, but soon the elder Elizabeth had to study the intricacies of politics and the political system, court etiquette and other palace nuances necessary for the future queen. Margaret was out of work.

The situation became more complicated after the death of the girls' father. The mother, having put on mourning, withdrew into her own experiences. Elizabeth was absorbed in palace obligations, and Margaret felt herself useless and lonely.

Queen's sister

This state of affairs oppressed Margaret: by nature, the girl got a cheerful character, a cheerful disposition and sociability. In addition, the princess was very beautiful and skillfully emphasized the dignity of her appearance. fashionable outfits and cosmetics. Later, Margaret will often be compared to an actress. Such interests were considered bad manners in the royal family: the princess was supposed to be more serious and think about palace duties, and not about dresses and parties.

The sisters were very different in this - the stiff Elizabeth attached a lot of importance to the established regulations, rules and etiquette. Margaret, on the other hand, took pleasure in going against the odds, shocking relatives and the public. Perhaps, with such a rebellion, the girl tried to attract the attention of loved ones, which she lacked so much after the death of her father.

Pretty quickly, Margaret won the glory of the "rebellious princess." Until the last days, she did not consider it necessary to deny herself any pleasures. The princess was repeatedly caught in London clubs and pubs. There was even talk of Margaret's alcoholism. Notes constantly appeared in the press that the princess was not averse to drinking. In addition, she smoked two packs of cigarettes a day. Such intemperance in bad habits seriously crippled Margaret's health and influenced her later life.

Personal life

The personal life of Princess Margaret developed rapidly and intensely. At the age of 23, the girl met the captain of the British fleet, Peter Townsend. The man was 16 years older than the princess, but this did not become an obstacle for lovers. Unfortunately, palace rules did not allow Margaret to marry her chosen one. The fact is that Townsend was divorced, in addition, he had children from his first marriage.

These relationships are outraged royal family. On the part of Margaret, it was unheard of impudence and the height of indecency to agree to a relationship with a divorced man who, moreover, was much older.

However, the discontent of the family did not frighten the girl, and the romance was gaining momentum. Margaret decided to wait until her 25th birthday: at that age, she could officially renounce her title and marry her lover like an ordinary woman. It was on this path that the uncle of the girl, who sacrificed the throne for the love of a divorced woman, went in his time.

However, the situation did not turn out the way Margaret wanted. Soon Captain Peter Townsend was sent to serve in Belgium, where the man was to stay for two years. The princess's family hoped that the girl's love would subside, and she would forget about her lover. Thanks to this love story, Margaret became the idol of the women of the country: gossip was passed from mouth to mouth, many hoped for a happy ending to the novel.

The reality turned out to be more prosaic. When Peter Townsend returned to England, Margaret announced her decision to leave. Most likely, the girl was forced to take this step by the pressure of her mother and sister, who were opposed to the reckless, in their opinion, act of the princess.

What happened changed Margaret. The princess seemed to have decided not to spare herself and went into all serious trouble. The press talked about the girl's numerous novels, and her photos with new and new gentlemen appeared on the spreads of publications. Finally, Margaret did get married. The photographer Anthony Armstrong-Jones became the chosen one of the wayward beauty. The wedding took place on May 6, 1960.

This marriage, unfortunately, broke up. In 1978, the princess divorced her husband. During the years of marriage, Margaret gave birth to two children - son David and daughter Sarah. It was Lady Sarah who, years later, became a bridesmaid at the wedding and. Margaret had four grandchildren.

Death

The last years of Margaret were tragic: the princess was very lonely. The woman's health became worse and worse - addiction to alcohol and tobacco made itself felt. A couple of years before her death, a misfortune happened: Margaret scalded her feet in the bathroom. After this incident, the princess practically did not get up on her feet, moving on wheelchair.

On February 9, 2002, Princess Margaret passed away. Doctors said the cause of death was a stroke. But even after her death, Margaret was able to impress the inhabitants of Britain and members of the royal family, expressing a desire to have her body cremated. The ashes of the rebellious princess are buried next to the grave of her father.

Memory

The name of Princess Margaret has repeatedly appeared in the movies. In 2005, the film Princess Margaret, a Love Story appeared. The picture was based on rumors and gossip, for which the princess did not get tired of giving reasons. Three years later, the film directed by Roger Donaldson, The Baker Street Robbery, was released.

Here, the plot was also based on the provocative actions of Margaret, about which the criminals allegedly became aware. They want to steal dirt on the princess in order to blackmail members of the royal family. The main roles in the film were played by Saffron Burroughs.

And in 2016, Peter Morgan's TV series The Crown was released, which reveals the history of the royal family. After the first season, the project was awarded the Golden Globe Award and received positive feedback from both critics and viewers. Princess Margaret was played by actresses and. Ben Miles plays Peter Townsend. Also participating in the filming (in the role of young Elizabeth), John Lithgow (who played), Jeremy Northam.

Margaret Rose, daughter of King George VI and younger sister the current reigning Queen of Great Britain, Elizabeth II, was born to attract the admiring glances of others, to lead a carefree social life and, finally, to marry a high-born rich handsome man who would surround the girl with love and care. However, instead of all this, Margaret received a life full of loneliness, struggle and suffering, hidden behind a charming smile and incredible outfits and jewelry, as a "gift" from fate.

Sister of the future queen

As a child, little Margaret loved her older sister Elizabeth very much. Rumor has it that up to a certain point the princesses were inseparable, despite the radically opposite characters: the restrained, serious Elizabeth and the active, laughing Margaret. The girls' father did not yet claim the British throne - his brother Edward was to become king. However, the coronation did not take place. Edward became one of the first Windsors to choose love over the throne: his marriage to an American divorcee with a dubious past, Wallis Simpson, was not recognized, and Edward abdicated in favor of his younger brother George. This act decided the fate of the whole family of the new king, including the young Margaret, whose destiny is to always be “second”.

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth with their daughters Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, December 1936

After the coronation of George VI, the life of his daughters and their relationship completely changed. Elizabeth became the main heir, and now she was being prepared for a great future, and Margaret got the role of "second violin". There was no enmity or envy between the sisters (none of the girls dreamed of becoming a queen), but this is a clear distribution of roles and royal protocol, obliging to be always behind crown princess to live in her shadow, grieved Margaret. Of the close feelings of the girl, only her father-king understood, because he himself grew up in similar situation. George VI was for Margaret the most dear person and she is his beloved daughter.

Margaret was 22 years old when the king passed away. The tragedy of the family and the whole kingdom was soon marked by a joyful event - the young Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne. But for her younger sister, it was the beginning of the end. The last threads of sisterly love that bound Margaret and Elizabeth were broken. As soon as Elizabeth became queen, she occupied Buckingham Palace, moving her mother and sister to Clarence House.

Princess Margaret and Elizabeth II

tragic love Princess Margaret

Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend

His name was Peter Townsend, he was 16 years older than Margaret, and served as equerry to the late George VI. Margaret knew Peter from young years: He taught her horse riding and was responsible for the safety of the princess during trips. It is difficult to say exactly when this feeling originated. Perhaps their friendship at a certain moment grew into something more, and the couple could not hide their feelings from each other ... Hiding them from others, alas, did not work out for a long time either! During one event, to which representatives of the British press were invited, Margaret and Peter gave a rather characteristic intimate gesture - the girl brushed a speck of dust from the shoulder of the stableman. It turned out to be easy for journalists to prove the fact of the relationship between the princess and the commoner, and soon the whole kingdom was discussing Margaret's novel.

Townsend was not suitable as a candidate for the husband of Princess Townsend: the man was divorced, had two children, and was not of noble birth. The people were indignant. If it weren’t for the fact that the princess’s lover was a former colonel in the Royal Air Force and a hero of the Second World War, his further fate after such a daring act, it would be generally difficult to predict. But the man got off lightly - Elizabeth simply sent him away from her younger sister: to serve outside the country.

Despite the fact that the lovers were separated, Margaret's heart remained true to one Peter. Acting as a princess, she traveled the country with official visits, striking those around her with her beauty and haute couture outfits. Knowing that the photos would get into the press, Margaret deliberately preened and smiled at the camera so that Peter could see her in the newspapers.

Princess Margaret and couturier Yves Saint Laurent

Princess Margaret and couturier Christian Dior

Royal tour, Jamaica, 1955

Royal tour, Caribbean, 1955

Before her 25th birthday, there was very little left. The girl was waiting for a chance to enter the age that gave her the opportunity to disobey the royal family and make a choice in favor of love. However, this dream turned out to be illusory. The princess was pressured not only elder sister but also the public. On Margaret's shoulders lay the burden of responsibility for the fate of the entire British monarchy, because the stiff country could not tolerate another renunciation of the titles of a member of the royal family! It turned out that Margaret had no choice.

Saying goodbye to Townsend was hard and painful. The paparazzi managed to take some pictures of Peter and Margaret's last date in 1955. On the face of the princess, leaving her lover forever, a mask of pain and despair froze. A few days later, she officially announced that their romance was over.

Princess Margaret in a car after saying goodbye to Peter Townsend, October 1955

Margaret, who from the age of 18 was fond of fashion and even shone on the covers of fashion publications, continued to attend shows of the best French designers and various social events. Despite the pain she endured, she performed well in public. Wherever the princess went, her trademark charming smile invariably remained on her face. The British press immediately doubted whether the princess was really in love if she so quickly forgot her equerry? Some publications again began to wag the name of Margaret in the press, but now reproaching her for choosing wealth and title, and not love. Margaret did not seem to react. But the resentment inside her forever put an end to her love for her sister and faith in people. The girl pointedly did not appear at official events that were important for her sister-queen, with pleasure replacing communication with her family with fun leisure activities with friends.

4 years after breaking up with Peter Townsend, Margaret was again in for a shock: Peter was going to marry a girl who looked remarkably like her. He himself told her about it in telephone conversation. As it turns out, during their last meeting, Peter and Margaret vowed never to tie the knot with anyone else. Peter broke his promise, and Margaret finally lost her mind. Next in her life was a revenge marriage to photographer Tony Armstrong-Jones, a string of young lovers, wild life and general condemnation.

Peter Townsend with his wife

Princess Margaret's wedding to Tony Armstrong-Jones

The once beloved Princess Margaret, whose photos appeared in the press more often than pictures of other members of the royal family, has forever gone into oblivion. She grew old early, did not know happiness and spent the rest of her days alone. Despite the grievances, when Townsend was dying, Margaret came to say goodbye to him. The princess survived her beloved by 7 years.

Princess Margaret was not only a royal daughter, the sister of the queen, and after the birth of Prince Charles, the third in line for the throne, but was also known as the first beauty of the kingdom of Great Britain. Shades of lipstick, perfumes and cocktails, tulips, gladioli, roses were named after her.
She flared up like a bright comet, but in an endless series of secular scandals, her star faded. Disease and oblivion followed. When her coffin, covered with a blue and purple cloth with white lilies, was taken out of the hospital in February 2002, a few onlookers asked: “What happened? Is the queen mother dead? Not? Princess Margaret? Has she survived to this day?

Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, was born on 21 August 1930 at Glamis Castle, the ancestral home of her mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, in Scotland.
At the time of her birth, she was fourth in the line of succession to the British throne.
She was destined to be a "reserve princess", to be on the sidelines, in the shadow of her crowned sister. To be noticed, she had to be much brighter than Elizabeth defying conservative conventions. No wonder Margaret was called the rebellious princess. The registration of her birth was delayed for several days so that the entry in the parish metric book would not be assigned the 13th number. But it is difficult to deceive even a princess from fate. However, all the storms are ahead, but for now she is just a lovely little "Her Royal Highness" in a beautiful castle, surrounded by the love and care of the entire royal family.

But from the very early childhood not without controversy and controversy. Mother wanted to name her Ann - "Elizabeth and Ann go so well together." Father was vehemently opposed and insisted on "Margaret Rose".
Elizabeth and Margaret did not attend school, they were taught by the Scottish governess Marion Crawford. Their education was controlled by their mother, who said: "After all, my sisters and I only had governesses and we all married well - one of us very well." Margaret later regretted her limited education.

Margaret played music and sang beautifully, which did not interfere with the rumors that spread among the people that the girl was deaf and dumb. Only her first public performance scattered them. Another girl was very fond of being in the spotlight, and older sister Elizabeth allowed her to do this, commenting: "Oh, how much easier when Margaret is there - everyone laughs at what Margaret says."
Their father, who became King George VI after his father's death and his older brother's abdication, described Elizabeth as his pride and Margaret as his joy.
At this time, Margaret was already second in line to the throne and received the status of a child of the sovereign.

After the outbreak of World War II, Margaret and her sister were at Birkhall on the estate of Balmoral Castle, where they stayed until Christmas 1939. The nights there were so cold that drinking water froze in the decanters by their beds. Throughout the war, despite the bombing, the royal family spent windsor castle. Lord Hailsham wrote to Prime Minister Winston Churchill advising that the princesses be evacuated to Canada, to which their mother famously replied that “The children will not do without my help. I will not leave without the King. And the King will never leave."

After the end of the war in 1945, Margaret appeared on a balcony at Buckingham Palace with her family and Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Afterwards, both Elizabeth and Margaret joined the crowds outside the palace, singing incognito, "we want a King, we want a Queen!"

Her twenty-first birthday party was held at Balmoral in August 1951. In next month her father underwent surgery for lung cancer and died in 1952.

Growing up, Margaret has grown into a dark-haired beauty with huge blue eyes, a voluptuous mouth, and an 18-inch waist. The editors of the fashion and beauty sections immediately drew attention to her. Petite, thin, with a beautiful figure, she became the inspiration for the New Look style. Her outfits were instantly published in women's magazines, and then copied by fashion dressmakers across the country. She was dazzling in exquisite hats and evening dresses Norman Hartnell and Victor Stiebel. Wherever she went, she was accompanied everywhere by a crowd of secular admirers, who became known as the "Margaret set." In 1956, 26-year-old Margaret appeared on the list of the most stylish people in the world. In this prestigious list, Margaret was mentioned second only to Grace Kelly.

Offended by her mother and sister, Margaret insisted on her resettlement in Kensington Palace, where she created an alternative court from her friends and where there was no place for formal dresses and tuxedos. In the evenings, her blue Rolls-Royce left the palace gates and headed towards Soho. Almost every day she returned from the clubs in the morning. With a brightly painted mouth, large violet eyes, a dazzling smile, high-combed dark red hair, flawless marbled skin, for which the women of the Windsor family were so famous, she simultaneously resembled Hollywood star and the classical aristocrat of the 19th century.

famous open dress Margaret for a reception in Hollywood, where it caused a sensation, and a scandal in the English press

The first scandal happened with Margaret Rose, Princess of York in 1955: the younger sister of Elizabeth II, almost married the royal equerry Peter Townsend, sixteen years older than her, the father of two children and also divorced. The sister-queen, parliament and the church, headed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, opposed this marriage of Margaret, considering it a monstrous misalliance! In the autumn of 1955, the BBC interrupted its transmissions to broadcast a statement by Margaret, who notified the nation of the end of a twelve-year relationship with Captain Townsend. The lovers parted.

Receiving up to twenty marriage proposals a year, at the age of 30 Margaret was never married. None of her admirers corresponded to the status of the spouse of the “royal sister” - the princess did not dare to challenge this decision of her crowned relatives. But when the pretty, witty and very talented society photographer Anthony Armstrong-Jones began to hoot after her, Margaret unexpectedly showed firmness for everyone.

On May 6, 1960, life in England came to a halt - a wedding was broadcast on TV from Westminster Abbey, which was watched by another 300 million people. With a bouquet of orchids, Norman Hartnell's deep V-neck silk gown with pearl beads, and a veil held by a diamond Poltimore Tiara from the Queen Victoria collection, the bride was, as the newspapers wrote, "a masterpiece of style and hairdressing." She was accompanied by eight girlfriends and her beloved nephew - the little Prince Charles dressed up in the traditional Scottish kilt.

The young couple spent their honeymoon riding the royal yacht Britannia around the Caribbean. In May 1961, Margaret's pregnancy was officially announced.

With son and daughter
son - David, Viscount Linley, born November 3, 1961, daughter 0 Lady Sarah, born May 1, 1964. Both children were born by caesarean section

With the advent of her son, Margaret's life almost did not change, only her circle changed - now there are almost no aristocrats left in it, they were replaced by bohemia: an aspiring actress, the future "Bond girl", Swedish Britt Ekland, her husband, comedian Peter Sellers, dancers Rudolf Nureyev and Margo Fontaine, The Beatles, Rolling Stones”, writer Edna O’Brien, hairdresser and stylist Vidal Sassoon, designer, mini-skirt creator Mary Quant and hippy chic inspirer, Thea Porter, whose bright oriental robes were worn with pleasure by Elizabeth Taylor and Joan Collins ...

In Hollywood, the couple had breakfast with Frank Sinatra, chatted with Gregory Peck, the princess tested her spell on Paul Newman. In those golden days there were many parties - in Sardinia, the Costa Esmeralda and St. Tropez.

Almost every week, Margaret opened exhibitions, auctions, charity concerts, horse races, went on official visits, was present as a representative of the royal house at weddings, christenings and funerals, visited the colonies and Commonwealth countries on official visits.

Her husband, who received the title of Earl of Snowdon, in this highest protocol was far from the main role. Anthony complained to his friends that he was being treated as if he had been picked up from the gutter. The summer of 1965 was the last happy vacation that Anthony and Margaret spent together.

In the late 60s, Margaret and Lord Snowdon barely spoke to each other. On her 39th birthday in 1969, the Snowdons began to bicker loudly in a nightclub. He, having lost his temper, in the presence of guests began to put out cigarettes on her Evening Dress. “I have never seen someone congratulate the birthday girl like that,” American writer Gore Vidal commented on this scene without hiding sarcasm. The photographer left notes on the table, one of which was titled "Twenty Reasons I Hate You." Friends said that the spouses "exchange insults like shots." These scenes were reminiscent of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

In the early 70s they living together went downhill, Margaret's style also changed. Along with youth, the retro of the 50s has also gone. In casual tweed suits, she looked squat, neither miniskirts nor ethnic outfits suited her, and the famous shirt dresses of the 70s were baggy on her. In those years, she rarely left the ranks of the most tastelessly dressed celebrities and received comments that her the view "leaves Londoners wishing there was no more fog in their city".

Her love of whiskey was already legendary. For breakfast, she appeared with the same glass of Famous Grouse. During official visits, a specially assigned waiter with an ashtray followed her from room to room.
“We need to meet with young people - the rest of the applicants are either busy or have died long ago,” Margaret liked to say in those years. The newspapers called Margaret "expensive", "scandalous", "extravagant" and "useless".
Both spouses cheated on each other, but it was Margaret's betrayals that became public property thanks to the ubiquitous paparazzi.

The Snowdons divorced in 1978, the first divorce in the English royal family in 400 years since Henry VIII. Despite the fact that her husband had a very tarnished reputation, all the blame was placed on Margaret. The press called the princess "tedious", "spoiled", "lounging" and "irritable". Elizabeth II excluded her from the number of guests of honor and refused to pay the annual 219 thousand pounds laid down for the maintenance of a member of the royal house. As more and more new heirs to the throne were born, Princess Margaret's turn dropped to 11, and interest in her was completely lost over time.

She was increasingly sick, complained of feeling unwell, while not parting with either cigarettes (in those years she smoked 60 cigarettes a day) or Famous Grouse whiskey. In 1985, Margaret underwent lung surgery. In 1991, her health began to decline dramatically. A series of strokes followed.

In March 2001, Margaret suddenly stopped seeing objects. At the celebration of the 101st birthday of the Queen Mother, she appeared in a wheelchair with a swollen face, which was covered by large dark glasses. But another blow soon followed. On the first day of the new year 2002, Elizabeth II canceled her daily ritual of riding a horse and came to sit with her sister. These were last days Princess Margaret. On the morning of February 9, 2002, she died in her sleep.

In 1950, the royal governess, Marion Crawford, who raised the princesses, published a biography of Elizabeth, describing both Margaret's childhood years, her "light-hearted fun" and her "funny and outrageous ... antics." Marion Crawford wrote: "The impulsive and flamboyant remarks she made made headlines and, taken out of their context, began to produce in the public eye an oddly distorted personality that bore little resemblance to the Margaret we knew."

American writer Gore Vidal recalled a conversation with Margaret in which she discussed her public fame, saying, "It was inevitable: when there are two sisters, and each is a Queen, one must be the source of honor and everything, something good, while while the other should be the center of the most creative malice, the evil sister." However, the sisters' letters to each other show no signs of disagreement between them.

Margaret's most important legacy is said to have paved the way for the public acceptance of royal divorce. Her sister's children followed suit, three of whom divorced and much more easily than would have been possible before.

In the art of the kinkmatographer, Margaret's personality has found many incarnations from her childhood years (Oscar-winning "The King's Speech" 2010) to reflecting the details of her troubled life
("Princess Margaret, a love story» 2005). In addition, she became the heroine of many television series (Women of Windsor (1992) and others).

21 August 1930 – 11 December 1936: HRH Princess Margaret of York
December 11, 1936 – October 3, 1961: her Royal Highness princess margaret
3 October 1961 – 9 February 2002: HRH Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon