Thanks to Netflix’s hit series The Crown, the world is again fascinated with Queen Elizabeth‘s sister, Princess Margaret, and her highly-publicized royal romance with Peter Townsend. The first season of The Crown ended with Elizabeth telling Margaret that she could not marry Peter because he was a divorcee — and, until Season 2 premiered in December 2017, many fans were left wondering, did Margaret stay with Peter after all? If not, did she end up marrying someone else?
In October 1955, a then 25-year-old Margaret released the following public statement revealing she and Peter, 40, had officially ended their romantic relationship: “I would like it to be known that I have decided not to marry Group Captain Peter Townsend. 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 teachings that Christian marriage is indissoluble and conscious of my duty to the Commonwealth, I have resolved to put these considerations before 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.”
Margaret and Antony with Peter (inset).
At the time of their breakup, Margaret reportedly told Peter that she would never marry anyone else, but the Princess later tied the knot with photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones in May 1960. Margaret allegedly accepted Antony’s proposal just one day after she heard her former flame Peter planned to marry a young Belgian woman named Marie-Luce Jamagne, who was half his age and bore a striking resemblance to Princess Margaret.
Margaret and Antony — who was later given the royal title Earl of Snowdon — had two children, son David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon and daughter Lady Sarah Chatto, together during their 18-year marriage. They divorced in 1978 after Margaret allegedly cheated. Peter remained married to second wife Marie-Luce until his death at age 80 in June 1995. Margaret passed away at age 71 in February 2002.
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