Queen's Mum Biography:
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother was born on August 4, 1900. The former Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon is descended from the royal house of Scotland; one of her ancestors in the 14th century became the Thane of Glamis. Lady Elizabeth spent the majority of her childhood at St. Paul's Waldenbury in Hertfordshire, where she was educated at home. Her brother, Fergus, was killed in 1915 while in service during WWI, and it sparked her interest in volunteer work.
Lady Elizabeth and her family grew up with the British Royal family. She was even a bridesmaid at the wedding of Princess Mary. As expected by many in the royal circle, she soon announced her engagement to future King George VI, then the Duke of York. They married on April 26, 1923 in Westminster Abbey. Seldom has a royal marriage proven to be as successful as the Yorks'. The Duchess of York was well loved by the people, who embraced her with open arms. The Duke and Duchess had two children: Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926, and Margaret Rose was born on August 21, 1930.
When Edward VIII announced his abdication, the world was stunned. George VI took the throne not as Albert I, as he would have been styled, but as George VI in order to ensue the continuity of the monarchy in the eyes of the people. During World War II, the king and queen made many important state visits. Many people tried to suggest to the queen that the princesses be sent to America for their safety and she refused. When Buckingham Palace was terribly bombed in 1940, the queen and the princesses were there, and experienced first-hand the devastation of war. The queen's actions during the war only further endeared her to her subjects. She refused to leave London without the king, and would not even send her children out of the country to Canada, as other Royals around the world had done. Queen Elizabeth insisted on sticking by her country and her family.
The king and queen celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in 1948, marked by a radio broadcast by the king in which he professed his endearments to her and let the people know of her undying devotion to the Crown. The royal family was very close; they loved to garden, walk, and adored their dogs and horses. Their happiness seemed short-lived as the king died in 1952, and his daughter Elizabeth II, at only 25 years of age, became queen. After the death of the king, the Queen Mother moved to Clarence House.
The Queen Mother has continued her public duties and is patron of some 350 organizations, and for many years was the president of the British Red Cross Society. Last year she performed over 58 public engagements. The Queen Mother still adores her horses, dogs, and loves to fish and take part in many outdoor activities. Despite health problems early in 1998, she still remains strong and steadfast and a true foundation for the royal family as well as the whole of Great Britain.
Queen Elizabeth's Biography:
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, was born on April 21, 1926. The first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, Elizabeth was thought to be a lovely addition to the Royal family, and at her birth was never considered the actual heir to the throne. Elizabeth and her sister, Margaret Rose, were educated at home and their love for the outdoors and horses was instilled in the princesses at a very early age. The Duke of York's family was idyllic; the family was extremely close and they spent long hours in the garden, talking, riding, and taking long walks. However, Elizabeth's life would soon change. In 1936 her uncle, the former Edward VIII, would abdicate the throne in order to marry the woman that he loved, the American divorcee, Wallis Simpson, and her father would become King George VI.
Things changed forever for Elizabeth when she was recognized as the heir presumptive to the throne. Her life would never again be her own; her education was changed to suit that of a future ruler. Elizabeth was only 16 when she carried out her first public engagement. She soon fell in love with a distant cousin, Prince Philip of Greece. The young couple wanted to marry in 1946 but were persuaded to wait until Elizabeth was at least 21 years of age. Finally, on November 20, 1947, the long-awaited Royal wedding took place. Children followed soon after; Charles was born on November 14, 1948, and Anne was born in 1950.
On February 6, 1952, while Princess Elizabeth was visiting Kenya, her father, King George VI, died in his sleep. Like her ancestor and namesake, Elizabeth I, Elizabeth was now queen at only 25 years of age. On June 2, 1953, she was crowned "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith."
The new Queen launched into her duties faithfully; the end of the British Empire was inevitable and as a result the Queen had to change with the times. Her Majesty would have two more children, Andrew in 1960 and Edward in 1964. Prince Philip became a pivotal part of the machinations of the monarchy and would arrange many events designed to show the Royal Family in the best possible light. As never before in history, the media began to play a large role in surrounding the Queen and her family in order to satisfy a world curiosity. The media became entangled with the Monarchy forever and it would prove to be, tragically, an enormous mistake.
Her Majesty has seen many changes in the monarchy from the system she knew as a child. Her sister and three of her children would go through divorces and her beloved Windsor Castle was damaged in an awful fire. She would later declare 1992 as her "Annus Horribilis" and she then set forth to make further changes in the Royal system, including removing most of the Royal Family from the Civil List. Her former daughter-in-law Diana would die horrifically in a car crash and as a result the public cried out for the Queen to speak to them and address their loss. Her other former daughter-in-law, Sarah, would state publicly over and over again that the Queen was the only Royal member she still had any contact with. Sarah is said to be both respectful and deeply enamored of her Majesty.
The Queen is a highly intelligent woman who meets with the Prime Minister every week and is extremely well-versed and knowledgeable about every single aspect that affects her country. She receives hundreds of letters and deals with countless state papers on a daily basis. The Queen attends charity events, luncheons, investitures, and various meetings with ambassadors and other officials. She is often accompanied by the Duke of York on her progresses. The Queen takes a personal interest in her many private and personal affairs, and even feeds her own dogs! Her Majesty is involved with the lives of her six grandchildren and meets with Prince William every week, training him in the ways of a future ruler. She stays up late reading every single piece of correspondence put before her and does her very best to serve her country in the way that she was raised to do. Her Majesty, Elizabeth II, is a true credit to the United Kingdom and represents much more than just a constitutional figurehead; she is the very essence and backbone of British civilization.
Prince Philip's Biography:
He was born Philip, Prince of Greece and Denmark on June 10, 1921 at Corfu. His parents were Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice, eldest daughter of Prince Louis of Battenburg. Philip was their youngest child and only son.
At the time of his birth, the monarchy of Greece was in eclipse. Consequently, he was brought up and educated in Great Britain. His education began at Gordonstoun, an exclusive schoolhe would later insist that Prince Charles attend. Philip pursued advanced education at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. He served in the Royal Navy from January, 1940 until the end of World War II, and saw action at Cape Matapan, Sicily and in the Pacific.
On Feb. 28, 1947, he renounced his right to the Greek throne and became a British citizen, adopting his mothers maiden name, Mountbatten. His engagement to Princess Elizabeth was announced on July 9, 1947 and their marriage took place in Westminster Abbey four months later on November 20. On the eve of his wedding, Philip was created a Royal Highness, Baron Greenwich, Earl of Merioneth and Duke of Edinburgh.
After his marriage, the Duke continued his service in the Royal Navy, commanding the frigate Magpie in the Mediterranean in 1950-51. After Elizabeths accession to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, Philip abandoned his naval duties to share her public and official life. In 1957, Elizabeth conferred on him the titular dignity of Prince of the United Kingdom.
Philip is a very active sportsman and loves carriage driving. He is also an
accomplished photographer, publishing the book Birds of Britannia, a collection of photographs taken by him. Prince Philip wrote and narrated the script for The Enchanted Isles, a documentary on the Galapagos Islands, first shown in 1967.
Philip continues to be the strong supporter of her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. As grandfather to six, he is also the head of an ever-expanding family.
Prince Charles Biography:
Charles Philip Arthur George Windsor was born on November 14, 1948. Prince Charles is descended from a long line of royalty on both sides of his family, including William the Conqueror. In spite of his birthright, Charles had a fairly ordinary childhood. He enjoyed listening to children's stories, especially Winnie the Pooh. He played hide-and-seek, had many pets, and enjoyed watching American television shows. He began his education with a governess at Buckingham Palace, and then in 1957 attended his first school, Hill House. Boarding school soon followed, with Charles attending Cheam. He then attended Prince Philip's former school, Gordonstoun. After passing his "O" Level examinations, he entered Trinity College in Cambridge. During his time there, his investiture as Prince of Wales was held at Caernarvon Castle in 1969.
After graduation from college with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Charles briefly joined the Royal Air Force and then entered the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. Charles spent many years assuming some of the additional responsibilities he will have when he becomes king. In his spare time, he has pursued a variety of sports, including polo and water sports.
Prince Charles once made the mistake of saying publicly that he thought age 30 would be about the right age for marriage. But, his 30th birthday came and went, as did his 31st. Then in 1980, the world's most eligible bachelor asked Lady Diana Spencer to marry him. The wedding of the century was held on July 29, 1981. Unfortunately, Charles and Diana separated in 1992, and the marriage ended in divorce.
Today, Charles still sees his mistress of over 25 years, Camilla Parker-Bowles. Will Charles marry Camilla? Will he become King Charles III? Only time will tell.
Princess Anne's Biography:
Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Mountbatten-Windsor was born at Clarence House, St. James's Palace, on August 15, 1950. She is the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Her mother, who became queen in 1952, protected the privacy of Anne and her elder brother Charles. Queen Elizabeth spent as much time as possible with her children, playing with them for half an hour each morning and personally putting them to bed one night a week. Princess Anne learned her ABC's from the queen.
Anne was nine when her brother Andrew was born. Four years later the queen gave birth to her last child, Edward. British law currently puts Anne eighth in line to the throne, after her brothers and their children.
The princess spent her early years at Buckingham Palace, where she received private lessons. She entered boarding school in 1963. While still in school, she became known as an expert horseback rider. At the age of eighteen, Princess Anne made her first state visit, accompanying her parents to Austria. In 1970 she became president of the Save the Children Fund. Today she is patron or president of more than 200 organizations and carries out over 500 engagements a year.
Her official duties did not stop the princess from pursuing her interest in competitive riding. In 1971 she won the individual European Three-Day Event at Burghley and was voted the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year. She won two silver medals at the 1975 European Three-Day Event in Germany, and competed in the Montreal Olympics the following year. She is now president of the British Olympic Association.
When she was twenty-three, the princess married Mark Phillips, a lieutenant of the Queen's Dragoon Guards who shared her love of horses. They had two children, Peter and Zara. The princess and her first husband divorced in 1992, and later that year Anne married Royal Navy Captain Timothy Laurence.
Anne's work for the Save the Children Fund has brought her worldwide respect and a Nobel Prize nomination. In 1987 the queen honored her daughter with the title Princess Royal.
At one time, outspoken Princess Anne was considered the most unpopular British royal. Today, however, the Princess Royal is seen as one of the most dignified and hard-working members of her family.
Prince Andrew's Biography:
The birth of Prince Andrew in 1959 doubly assured the Windsor dynasty, at least for the next generation. Born on February 19 and christened Andrew Albert Christian Edward (the names of his grandfathers and great-great-grandfathers), he was the first royal child to be styled by the surname of the Royal Family, Mountbatten-Windsor.
The Queen had indulged the public demand for news, photographs and appearances of Prince Charles and Princess Anne. As a result, they were considered public property. She did not want to make the same mistake with Prince Andrew. Andrew was shielded so well from the public that speculation began that he was deformed. The truth, however, was that he was a healthy baby with blue eyes and very fair hair, andwho rarely cried.
From a young age, Andrew proved himself to be an extrovert, full of mischief and charm. He derived great pleasure in tying togetherthe shoelaces of the sentries as they stood at attention, and was a prime suspect when the swimming pool at Windsor Castle was turned into a bubble bath. The Queen taught him to read and count, but his formal education continued at Buckingham Palace under the direction of the former governess of Charles and Anne. In 1969, Andrew enrolled at Heatherdown, a preparatory school near Windsor. He next attended Gordonstoun, the school that Charles had attended six years earlier.
Andrew was not only a good student academically, but he also excelled in several sports. He played football, cricket, tennis and squash, and developed a love of flying. After leaving Gordonstoun at the age of nineteen in 1979, Andrew made quite a name for himself at the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. At the age of twenty-one he qualified as a helicopter pilot and joined the Naval Air Squadron Flying Sea Kings. The turning point in his life came when he was sent to the Falkland Islands during the undeclared war between Britain and Argentina. Andrew proved himself a competent and conscientious officer, and he returned to Britain a hero.
On July 23, 1986 the Prince married Sarah Ferguson and became the Duke of York. Although the couple had known each other casually for years, their romance began when Sarah was invited to be a guest at Windsor Castle during the 1985 Royal Ascot week. The romance progressed rapidly, in part due to the matchmaking efforts of Princess Diana. Their first daughter, Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary, was born in 1988, and Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena arrived in 1990. Although divorced in May 1996, Andrew and Sarah have remained on friendly terms.
Prince Edward's Biography:
His Royal Highness Prince Edward was born on March 10, 1964 at Buckingham Palace, London. He represents the new-look Windsor family and balances his traditional Royal duties with a relatively normal life.
Educated at Heatherdown Preparatory School in Berkshire, Edward followed family tradition by attending Gordonstoun School in Scotland. He spent two terms at Wanganui Collegiate School in New Zealand, before studying history at Jesus College, Cambridge. Edward's love of the theater first became evident during his school days.
Edward resigned from the Royal Marines after three years, reportedly to the dismay of his father, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He moved into a less traditional career in the theater and then founded a television production company called Ardent Productions Limited.
The Prince is involved in several organizations supporting youth in the performing arts, including the National Youth Music Theater, the Manchester Royal Exchange Theater, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.
Edward dated many young women, but avoided being linked romantically with eligible daughters of other European royal families. His long bachelor life and low profile resulted in a public denial of accusations regarding his sexual orientation on a U.S. trip in 1990.
Prince Edward's engagement to Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones was announced in January, 1999. Edward and Sophie share many interests and are said to be best friends who are very much in love. The couple married on June 19, 1999 at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in a ceremony attended by 500 family members and friends. The Queen granted Edward the title of Earl of Wessex and the couple will be known as Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex. Upon the deaths of his mother and father, Edward will be granted his father's title of Duke of Edinburgh.
Sophie has been introduced gently to Royal life and seems prepared for the attention, responsibility, and pressure which inevitably await her. Asked how she felt about joining the Royal family, Sophie said: "It is fairly nerve-racking in many ways. I am fully aware of the responsibilities and I feel I am ready for it. I have had a few years to get used to it."
The Prince dropped his HRH title in early 1998 for business purposes, and began introducing himself as Edward Windsor. He must now hope to avoid royal tradition once more, by ensuring that he does not repeat the mistakes of his siblings' marriages.
Princess Diana's Biography:
Diana, Princess (1961-1997), Princess of Wales
Diana was born Diana Frances Spencer in Sandringham, Norfolk, England. She was educated at Riddlesworth Hall in Norfolk, and West Heath School in Kent. From 1979 until 1981, Diana worked as a kindergarten teacher in London.
On February 24, 1981, her engagement to Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, was announced. They were married in Saint Paul's Cathedral in an internationally televised ceremony on July 29, 1981. The couple had two sons: Prince William (born June 21, 1982), and Prince Harry (born September 15, 1984).
By the late 1980s the strains in the marriage had been widely publicized, and in December, 1992 a separation was announced. By that time Diana had already adopted charity work as her royal duty. She withdrew from public activities for a period of about four months in 1993 in an effort to avoid the negative publicity focused on her separation from Prince Charles.
Since then, however, Diana had continued to give active support to many charities related to homeless and deprived children, drug abuse, and victims of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Diana shocked many people in 1987, when she shook the hand of an AIDS patient. She was the vice president of the British Red Cross and had served as a member of the International Red Cross advisory board since 1994.
On August 31, 1997, Princess Diana was killed in a Paris, France automobile accident.
Significant dates in the life of Diana, Princess of Wales:
July 1, 1961: Lady Diana Frances Spencer is born, the daughter of the 8th Earl Spencer and his wife, Frances.
July 29, 1981: Marries Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, at St. Paul's Cathedral, while millions watch the ``fairy tale wedding.'' He is 12 years her senior.
June 21, 1982: Diana gives birth to Prince William Arthur Philip Louis.
Sept. 15, 1984: Diana gives birth to Prince Harry (Henry Charles Albert David).
June 15, 1992: After months of speculation about the state of the royal marriage, Andrew Morton's book ``Diana: Her True Story'' says Charles has had a longtime affair with a married woman, Camilla Parker Bowles, driving Diana to injure herself and attempt suicide.
Aug. 25, 1992: The Sun newspaper prints transcript of phone call monitored in December 1989 between Diana and a man who affectionately calls her ``Squidgy.''
Dec. 9, 1992: Prime Minister John Major announces to Parliament that Diana and Charles are separating but there are no plans for divorce.
Jan. 12, 1993: The Sun publishes transcript of intimate phone call said to be between Camilla and Charles, reportedly monitored December 1989.
June 29, 1994: In a TV documentary, Charles says he had committed adultery after the marriage broke down, ``us both having tried.''
Oct. 3, 1994: Anna Pasternak's book ``Princess in Love'' says Diana had five-year affair with her riding instructor James Hewitt.
Nov. 20, 1995: In a television interview Diana admits adultery with Hewitt.
August 1995: Reports link Diana and rugby star Will Carling. Carling and wife separate Sept. 29.
December 1995: Charles receives letter from Queen Elizabeth II urging divorce, and he agrees.
Feb. 28, 1996: Diana agrees to divorce.
Aug. 28, 1996: Final decree of divorce.
Aug. 31, 1997: Diana killed in Paris automobile accident. Her companion, Dodi Fayed, also is killed.
Dutchess of York Fergie's Biography:
Sarah Margaret Ferguson was born in London on October 15, 1959. She was the second daughter of Major Ronald Ivor Ferguson and his first wife Susan, daughter of FitzHerbert Wright. Sarah's father worked as manager of the Prince of Wales' polo team, so Sarah was acquainted with members of the Royal Family.
Diana, Princess of Wales played matchmaker when she arranged a luncheon attended by Prince Andrew and Sarah during Royal Ascot week. A royal courtship ensued and the engagement of Andrew and Sarah was formally announced on March 19, 1986.
Sarah was dubbed "Fergie" by the press. It was expected that with her vivacious and lively personality, she would bring informality and exuberant energy into the Royal Family. Prince Andrew and Sarah were married at Westminster Abbey on July 23, 1986 in a ceremony watched by 800 million television viewers. Andrew had been named Duke of York, the traditional title of the monarch's second son, shortly before the wedding. Upon emerging from Westminster Abbey, Sarah was Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of York.
Sarah and Andrew had two daughters: Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary born August 8, 1988 and Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena born March 23, 1990. After starting off with such a positive relation with the press, Sarah's relations with the media began to deteriorate. She was severely criticized when she left two month old Beatrice at home in England while she went on an official tour of Australia in October, 1988. Sarah was further criticized for her extravagant lifestyle, overspending and her outspokeness.
It became obvious that Sarah and Andrew's marriage was in trouble. Andrew was often away serving in the Royal Navy and it is assumed this added to the strains in the marriage. The marriage problems came to a head, when Sarah was caught in rather embarassing paparazzi photos while on vacation in the South of France. Sarah and Andrew separated in March, 1992 and were granted a final divorce decree on May 30, 1996. Sarah lost the style of "Royal Highness" upon her divorce. She is properly known as Sarah, Duchess of York. Sarah and Andrew share joint custody of Beatrice and Eugenie. They have a friendly relationship and are loving and caring parents to their two daughters.
Sarah's overspending caused her severe financial problems. To alleviate these problems, Sarah became a spokesperson for Weight Watchers and Ocean Spray. Some considered this as conduct unbecoming to a former member of the Royal Family. Sarah was insistent that she had to do what was necessary to support her family. To save money, Sarah and her daughters continued to live with Prince Andrew. Her Majesty the Queen has helped Sarah purchase her own home, although the title of the home is held in the names of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
When in the United States, Sarah has been a popular guest on both Oprah Winfrey's and Larry King's talk shows. Now she will host her own talk show on Sky TV in Great Britain and will donate her 5,000 pound fee for each show to charity. Sarah will lead audience-participation discussions on serious social issues.
Sophie Rhys-Jones:
Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones, the only daughter of Christopher and Mary Rhys-Jones, was born in Oxford, England on January 20, 1965. She was brought up in her parents' Victorian farmhouse in the Kent village of Brenchley near Tunbridge Wells. Her father is a former car salesman and is currently employed by a tire company. The Rhys-Jones family is a middle class family and Sophie is considered to be a commoner. She is the sixth cousin-once removed of the current Lord Molesworth, which means they share great-great-great-great-great grandparents.
Sophie attended Pembury, a public school (Americans would call it a private school) for girls from 1976-1981. She participated in many activities at Pembury and especially enjoyed drama and playing netball (similar to basketball). Sophie left Pembury with six O-levels. (O-levels are exams called Ordinary Levels taken at the age of 16 to gain entrance to college, students must have at least five or six passes in O-levels.) She continued her education at Dulwich College and West Kent College but never attended university.
Sophie arrived in London in 1983, sharing a flat in Baron's Court and working for the public relations firm Quentin Bell Organisation. Sophie first met Prince Edward in 1987 while working at Capital Radio in London as an organizer of concerts and road shows. At that time, Edward was dating one of her friends. Three years later, Sophie became a representative of the ski firm Bladon Lines and moved to the Swiss resort of Crans Montana. There a relationship developed between Sophie and an Australian ski instructor. Sophie moved to Australia with him where she worked as a courier, traveled in the outback and took up deep sea diving.
A year later, Sophie returned to London and took a job with Macmillan Nurse Appeal as a promotion assistant. She joined MacLaurin Communication Media in May, 1993 working for their charity accounts. During the summer of 1993, the romance between Sophie and Edward blossomed while Sophie handled the publicity for Edward's Real Tennis Challenge.
Sophie left MacLaurin Communication Media just before Christmas 1995 to do freelance work. Currently, she runs a magazine for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and handles accounts for the catering firm Searcy's and Baby Lifeline, a charity which provides special baby care and maternity units throughout the UK. She is also a part-time consultant for the marketing firm Hollander Communications.
Unlike Lady Diana Spencer and Sarah Ferguson, Sophie had access to royal residences and an introduction to royal life long before the announcement of her engagement to Prince Edward on January 6, 1999. Sophie and Edward lived together in a set of rooms at Buckingham Palace. Sophie spent weekends at Windsor Castle, holidays at Sandringham and Balmoral, and spent time aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia before it left royal service. Neither Diana nor Fergie were so immersed in royal life before their engagements. Sophie and Edward were married on Saturday, June 19, 1999 before 500 guests in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Officially, Sophie is now know as Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex but she will use Sophie Wessex professionally.
Princess Margaret's Biography:
Princess Margaret Rose was born on August 21, 1930 at her maternal grandparents' home, Glamis Castle in Scotland. Her father was Prince Albert, Duke of York, younger son of King George V. Her mother was the former Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (now the Queen Mother).
Until Margaret was six, her family lived in a Victorian house at 145 Piccadilly in London. A governess taught Margaret and her elder sister Elizabeth at home. Then, in 1936, Prince Albert's brother Edward VIII abdicated; Albert became King George VI, and Elizabeth became heir presumptive to the throne. The princesses and their parents moved to Buckingham Palace.
Princess Margaret was a high-spirited child with a mischievous sense of humor. Her parents tried to give her as normal an upbringing as possible. She became a Brownie and later a Girl Guide; pack meetings were held at the Palace. Today the princess is President and Chairman of the Council of the Girl Guides Association.
In 1947 the princess accompanied her parents and sister on an official tour of South Africa. After that she assumed many public duties. She enjoys music and ballet, and in 1957 became both the president of the Royal Ballet and an Honorary Doctor of Music of London University. Currently she is patron of more than eighty organizations, favoring children's charities.
Princess Margaret's father died in 1952 and her sister became queen. Before the coronation, Margaret told Elizabeth she wished to marry Captain Peter Townsend. Because Townsend was divorced, the queen did not grant Margaret permission to marry him. The couple separated for two years.
They reunited when Margaret was twenty-five, old enough to marry without the queen's permission. But marrying Townsend would mean giving up her place in the royal line of succession, and eventually Margaret broke off the relationship. In 1960 she married a photographer, Anthony Armstrong-Jones, who became Earl of Snowdon and Viscount Linley. They had two children, David and Sarah, before their divorce in 1978.
Princess Margaret lives at Kensington Palace and has a vacation home, Les Jolie Eaux, on the island of Mustique in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. She is an unpretentious princess and a vivacious woman who enjoys life.
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