Princess Margaret’s life, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, was often a subject of intense public fascination, particularly her romantic relationships. Among these, her poignant love story with Group Captain Peter Townsend remains one of the most talked-about royal romances of the 20th century. Their connection, blossoming in the shadow of royal duty and societal expectations, ultimately succumbed to the rigid constraints of the time, leaving a lasting mark on both their lives and the public’s perception of the monarchy. This is a detailed look into the timeline of Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend’s relationship, from its tender beginnings to its heartbreaking conclusion.
The Initial Encounter: 1947
Peter Townsend’s association with the royal family began in 1944 when he was appointed as an equerry to King George VI, Princess Margaret’s father. However, it wasn’t until 1947 that he truly entered Princess Margaret’s orbit. During a significant three-month royal tour of Southern Africa, Townsend’s official duties included attending to the young princess. This extended period of close proximity in an exotic setting sparked a deep connection between them.
“We rode together every morning in that wonderful country, in marvelous weather. That’s when I really fell in love with him,” Princess Margaret reportedly confessed later, highlighting the idyllic backdrop to their burgeoning affection. At this time, Townsend was a married man with two sons, a factor that would later complicate their relationship significantly.
Belfast and Budding Romance: October 1947
Later in 1947, Townsend accompanied Princess Margaret on a trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland, for the christening of a ship. Documents from this visit revealed a detail hinting at the deepening nature of their bond. Townsend requested his room at Hillsborough Castle to be adjacent to Princess Margaret’s, suggesting a desire for closer personal proximity beyond professional duty. This subtle move indicated that their relationship was evolving beyond mere acquaintance and into something more intimate.
Divorce and Shifting Dynamics: 1952
A significant turning point occurred in 1952 when Peter Townsend divorced his first wife, Rosemary Pratt, Marchioness Camden, after eleven years of marriage. This personal change had profound implications for his relationship with Princess Margaret. With Townsend now unmarried, the possibility of a romantic union with the princess, however improbable it might have seemed within royal circles, became a topic of speculation, and perhaps, a tangible hope for the couple themselves.
The Proposal and Royal Obstacles: 1953
In 1953, Peter Townsend proposed to Princess Margaret. However, their path to marriage was immediately obstructed by the stringent rules governing royal unions. Under the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, Princess Margaret, being under the age of 25, required the Queen’s formal permission to marry. Furthermore, the fact that Townsend was a divorcee posed a major hurdle. The Church of England, at the time, held a firm stance against remarriage after divorce, adding immense pressure and complication to the situation. Queen Elizabeth II, caught between familial affection and her duty as Head of the Church of England and monarch, found herself in a difficult position.
Coronation Day Revelation: June 2, 1953
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The public’s awareness of the Princess Margaret Peter Townsend romance inadvertently surfaced during Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation on June 2, 1953. A seemingly minor incident – Princess Margaret was observed flicking a piece of lint from Townsend’s jacket – was magnified by the press. This simple, intimate gesture in a highly public setting ignited media speculation and confirmed to the world that there was a significant relationship between the Princess and the divorced equerry. The innocent act became a focal point, thrusting their private affections into the harsh glare of public scrutiny.
Exile in Brussels: 1953-1955
In an attempt to manage the escalating situation and perhaps quell the romance, Peter Townsend was sent abroad. Following his proposal and the ensuing media frenzy, the air force officer was assigned to Brussels as an air attaché. This posting, intended to last two years, effectively separated Townsend and Princess Margaret, testing the resilience of their bond and giving them both time and distance to reconsider their future. The separation, however, only intensified public interest in their relationship, with many sympathizing with their predicament.
The 25th Birthday Milestone: August 21, 1955
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Princess Margaret’s 25th birthday on August 21, 1955, marked a legal shift in her ability to marry Townsend. Upon reaching this age, she was no longer legally bound to seek the Queen’s consent under the Royal Marriages Act; only Parliamentary approval was required. However, the British government was prepared to take drastic measures to prevent the marriage. Plans were formulated to amend the Act, which would have resulted in Princess Margaret and any children from her marriage to Townsend being removed from the line of succession.
Despite this potential personal cost, Princess Margaret remained determined to properly consider her options. In a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Eden, she indicated her intention to meet with Townsend in October after their two-year separation. “It is only by seeing him in this way that I feel I can properly decide whether I can marry him or not,” she wrote, demonstrating her desire for a personal and considered resolution.
Choosing Duty Over Love: October 31, 1955
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On October 31, 1955, Princess Margaret made a public announcement that resonated deeply with the nation and solidified her place in history. She declared that she would not marry Peter Townsend. In a statement broadcasted by BBC Radio, she articulated her difficult decision:
“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. I have reached this decision entirely alone, and in doing so I have been strengthened by the unfailing support and devotion of Group Captain Townsend.”
Princess Margaret’s choice was widely interpreted as a selfless act of putting her royal duty and the stability of the monarchy above her personal happiness. It was a poignant moment, highlighting the immense pressures faced by members of the royal family.
Life After Margaret: Townsend’s Later Years – 1959
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Following the end of his engagement with Princess Margaret, Peter Townsend relocated to Belgium and later settled in France. In 1959, he married Marie-Luce Jamagne, a Belgian woman, starting a new chapter in his life. This marriage marked a definitive closure to the public chapter of his romance with Princess Margaret, although the emotional impact of their past relationship likely remained with both of them.
Margaret Moves On: Marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones – February 26, 1960
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Princess Margaret also found love again. In 1958, she met photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, later Lord Snowdon, when he was commissioned to photograph the royal family. Their relationship developed, and they became engaged in 1959, keeping the news discreet for several months before a public announcement by Clarence House in February 1960.
Royal Wedding: May 6, 1960
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Princess Margaret married Antony Armstrong-Jones on May 6, 1960, at Westminster Abbey. This marriage was historically significant as Armstrong-Jones was a commoner, the first to marry into the royal family in approximately 400 years. While Princess Margaret moved forward with her life, her past with Peter Townsend remained a poignant chapter in her personal history.
Townsend’s Memoir: Reflecting on the Past – January 1, 1978
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Decades after their separation, in 1978, Peter Townsend released his autobiography, Time and Chance. In his memoirs, he addressed his relationship with Princess Margaret with notable sensitivity and understanding. He acknowledged the immense sacrifices Margaret 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. I simply hadn’t the weight, I knew it, to counterbalance all she would have lost.” His words reflected a deep understanding of the constraints Princess Margaret faced and a quiet acceptance of their unfulfilled love.
Divorce and Final Years: 1978 & Beyond
In the same year Townsend’s autobiography was published, Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones divorced in 1978, after two years of separation. This event marked another significant moment in Princess Margaret’s life, further highlighting the complexities and challenges she faced in both her public and private life.
Peter Townsend passed away in Paris on June 19, 1995, at the age of 80, after a period of illness. Upon hearing the news, Buckingham Palace reported that Princess Margaret was “sad,” acknowledging the enduring connection despite the years and separate lives they had lived. Princess Margaret herself died on February 9, 2002, at the age of 71, following several strokes. Her passing marked the end of an era, and her story, including her deeply felt but ultimately unrealized love with Peter Townsend, continues to fascinate and evoke sympathy, embodying the timeless conflict between personal desire and royal duty.
Conclusion: A Lasting Legacy of Love and Duty
The relationship between Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend remains a powerful narrative of love encountering insurmountable obstacles. Forced to choose between personal happiness and royal obligation, Princess Margaret’s decision to renounce her engagement to Townsend resonated globally. It underscored the unique burdens carried by the royal family and the sacrifices demanded by duty. Their story continues to be a subject of historical and romantic interest, illustrating a poignant chapter in royal history where personal desires clashed with the unyielding expectations of the Crown.
