Princess Margaret’s life, as the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II and a prominent member of the British Royal Family, was often a subject of intense public interest, particularly her romantic relationships. Among these, her poignant love affair with Group Captain Peter Townsend remains one of the most talked-about royal romances of the 20th century. Their story, marked by deep affection but ultimately curtailed by royal duty and societal constraints, continues to fascinate those intrigued by tales of love, sacrifice, and the rigid protocols of monarchy.
Their connection began when Margaret was just a teenager and Townsend, a decorated war hero, served in her father King George VI’s household. From their initial acquaintance in 1947 to the heartbreaking conclusion of their engagement, here is a detailed exploration of the timeline of Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend’s relationship.
1947: The First Encounter Between Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend
Peter Townsend’s association with the royal family began in 1944 when he was appointed as an equerry to King George VI. However, it was in 1947 during a significant three-month royal tour of Southern Africa that he and Princess Margaret truly connected. Townsend’s role required him to attend to the young princess, and this close proximity fostered a bond between them.
Accounts suggest that the stunning landscapes and shared experiences of the tour provided the backdrop for their burgeoning feelings. Princess Margaret reportedly reminisced about this time, stating, “We rode together every morning in that wonderful country, in marvelous weather. That’s when I really fell in love with him.” At this juncture, Townsend was married with two children, a factor that would later complicate their relationship significantly.
October 1947: Belfast Trip Sparks Rumors
Later in 1947, the professional relationship between Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend extended to official duties as they traveled to Belfast, Northern Ireland, for the christening of a ship. Documents related to this visit unveiled a detail that hinted at a deeper connection: Townsend had requested his room at Hillsborough Castle be adjacent to Princess Margaret’s. This seemingly minor adjustment fueled early speculation about the nature of their relationship within royal circles.
1952: Peter Townsend’s Divorce
A significant turning point occurred in 1952 when Peter Townsend divorced his first wife, Rosemary Pratt, Marchioness Camden, after eleven years of marriage. This development would later become a central obstacle in his relationship with Princess Margaret due to the stringent views of the Church of England and societal norms regarding divorce and remarriage at the time.
1953: A Proposal Amidst Royal Constraints
In 1953, Peter Townsend proposed marriage to Princess Margaret. However, the path to matrimony was far from straightforward. Under the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, Princess Margaret, being under 25, required the formal consent of the Queen to marry. Furthermore, Townsend’s status as a divorced man presented a formidable barrier, given the Church of England’s then-strict stance against remarriage after divorce. Queen Elizabeth II, while sympathetic to her sister’s desires, was caught between her familial role and her duty as the head of the Church of England and the Commonwealth.
June 2, 1953: A Fleeting Moment at the Coronation Ignites Public Speculation
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The public’s awareness of the romance between Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend dramatically increased during Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in June 1953. A seemingly innocuous gesture – Princess Margaret flicking a piece of fluff from Townsend’s jacket – was captured by a keen-eyed reporter. This small interaction, amplified by media attention, ignited widespread speculation and confirmed to the public and press that there was indeed a special relationship between the Princess and the Group Captain.
1953-1955: Exile in Brussels
Following his proposal and the ensuing royal predicament, Peter Townsend was assigned to the British Embassy in Brussels as an air attaché. This posting, effectively exiling him from the immediate royal circle, was a strategic move by the royal family and government to allow time and distance to potentially diffuse the intense situation. Townsend remained in Brussels for two years, during which the separation tested the resolve of his and Margaret’s relationship.
August 21, 1955: Princess Margaret’s 25th Birthday and a Looming Decision
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Princess Margaret’s 25th birthday on August 21, 1955, marked a crucial juncture. Upon reaching this age, she was no longer legally bound to seek the Queen’s permission to marry under the Royal Marriages Act; she only required the approval of Parliament. However, the government, under Prime Minister Anthony Eden, was deeply concerned about the implications of Margaret marrying a divorced man.
Plans were formulated to amend the Royal Marriages Act, potentially removing Princess Margaret and any future children from the line of succession should she proceed with marrying Townsend. While this would have allowed the marriage to occur, it would have come at the cost of her royal status and place in the line of succession. In a letter to Prime Minister Eden, Margaret indicated her intention to meet Townsend in October, signaling her need to personally assess their future after two years of separation.
October 31, 1955: Choosing Duty Over Love
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In a deeply poignant moment in royal history, Princess Margaret announced on October 31, 1955, that she had decided not to marry Peter Townsend. In a public statement broadcasted by BBC Radio, she declared, “I have been aware that, subject to my renouncing my rights of succession, it might have been possible for me to contract a civil marriage. But, mindful of the Church’s teaching that Christian marriage is indissoluble, and conscious of my duty to the Commonwealth, I have resolved to put these considerations before any others.”
Her decision was widely interpreted as a sacrifice of personal happiness for the sake of royal duty and the stability of the monarchy. She emphasized that she reached this decision “entirely alone” but acknowledged the “unfailing support and devotion of Group Captain Townsend.”
1959: Peter Townsend Finds New Love
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Following the end of his engagement to Princess Margaret, Peter Townsend moved to Belgium and later settled in France. In 1959, he remarried to Marie-Luce Jamagne, a Belgian national, starting a new chapter in his life away from the intense scrutiny of the British royal spotlight.
February 26, 1960: Princess Margaret’s Engagement to Antony Armstrong-Jones
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Princess Margaret also found love again. In 1958, she met photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, who had been commissioned to photograph the royal family. Their relationship blossomed, and in February 1960, Clarence House announced their engagement. This engagement came relatively soon after Townsend’s remarriage, suggesting perhaps a desire to move forward decisively after the emotional turmoil of her previous relationship.
May 6, 1960: Princess Margaret Marries Antony Armstrong-Jones
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Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones married at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 1960. The marriage was historically significant as Armstrong-Jones was a commoner, marking the first time in approximately 400 years that a member of the British royal family married someone without a title.
1978: Peter Townsend’s Memoir Reflects on Lost Love
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In 1978, Peter Townsend released his autobiography, Time and Chance. In his memoirs, he reflected on his relationship with Princess Margaret, acknowledging the immense personal sacrifices she would have had to make to marry him. “She could have married me only if she had been prepared to give up everything — her position, her prestige, her privy purse,” he wrote, recognizing the heavy burden it would have placed on her. “I simply hadn’t the weight, I knew it, to counterbalance all she would have lost.”
1978: Princess Margaret’s Divorce
Ironically, the same year Peter Townsend’s autobiography was published, Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones divorced. They had separated two years prior, and their formal divorce in 1978 marked a sad chapter in Margaret’s life, mirroring in some ways the marital complexities that had defined her earlier relationship with Townsend.
June 19, 1995: Peter Townsend’s Death
Peter Townsend passed away in Paris on June 19, 1995, at the age of 80, after a period of illness. Buckingham Palace conveyed that Princess Margaret was deeply saddened upon hearing the news of his death, a testament to the enduring connection they shared despite the years and life choices that separated them.
February 9, 2002: Princess Margaret’s Passing
Princess Margaret passed away on February 9, 2002, at the age of 71, following a series of strokes. Her death marked the end of an era, and obituaries and tributes often recalled her vibrant personality and the poignant story of her love affair with Peter Townsend – a love story that remained a defining narrative in her life and a subject of enduring public fascination.
The relationship between Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend remains a powerful example of the conflicts between personal desire and royal duty. Their story continues to resonate, illustrating the intricate balance between individual happiness and the responsibilities inherent in royal life, especially during a period of significant social and religious change in the 20th century.
