Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon

Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (Margaret Rose; 21 August 1930 – 9 February 2002), was the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and the only sibling of Queen Elizabeth II. Born when her parents were the Duke and Duchess of York, she became second in line to the British throne after her father's accession in 1936, though her place in the succession declined as her sister's children and grandchildren were born. Margaret spent much of her childhood with her family and elder sister. During the Second World War, the princess remained at Windsor Castle despite suggestions that she and Elizabeth should be evacuated to Canada. Too young to perform official duties, she continued her education while her sister undertook public responsibilities. Her father's death in 1952, which brought Elizabeth to the throne, marked a turning point in Margaret's life and coincided with her relationship with RAF officer Peter Townsend. Celebrated for her glamour and social life, Margaret attracted widespread attention in the 1950s for her romance with Townsend, which she ended under pressure from government and church. In 1960 she married photographer Antony Armstrong‑Jones, later Earl of Snowdon, with whom she had two children, David and Sarah, before their divorce in 1978. Margaret's private life, including her reputed romances and social circle, was often the subject of speculation by the press. Her divorce and lifestyle drew controversy, and she became a symbol of both royal modernity and scandal. A heavy smoker, her health declined in later years, and she suffered a series of strokes between 1998 and 2001. Margaret died in 2002 aged 71, after her final stroke, and is remembered as one of the most glamorous and controversial members of the British royal family.

Infobox

Born

Princess Margaret Rose of York(1930-08-21)21 August 1930Glamis Castle, Angus, Scotland

Died

9 February 2002(2002-02-09) (aged 71)King Edward VII's Hospital, London, England

Burial

15 February 2002Ashes placed in the Royal Vault, St George's Chapel 9 April 2002Ashes interred in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel

Spouse

mw- Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon (m. 1960; div. 1978)

Issue

mw- David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon Lady Sarah Chatto

House

Windsor

Father

George VI

Mother

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

Tables

· Titles, styles, honours and arms › Honours

United Kingdom

Country

United Kingdom

Date

12 June 1947

Appointment

Companion of the Order of the Crown of India

Ribbon

Post-nominal letters

23 June 1948

Country

23 June 1948

Date

Dame of Justice of the Order of St John of Jerusalem

Appointment

Ribbon

DJStJ

Netherlands

Country

Netherlands

Date

1948

Appointment

Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion

Ribbon

United Kingdom

Country

United Kingdom

Date

1 June 1953

Appointment

Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order

Ribbon

Post-nominal letters

GCVO

Zanzibar

Country

Zanzibar

Date

1956

Appointment

Order of the Brilliant Star of Zanzibar, First Class

Ribbon

United Kingdom

Country

United Kingdom

Date

20 June 1956

Appointment

Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St John of Jerusalem

Ribbon

Post-nominal letters

GCStJ

Belgium

Country

Belgium

Date

1960

Appointment

Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown

Ribbon

Uganda

Country

Uganda

Date

1965

Appointment

Order of the Crown, Lion, and Spear of Toro Kingdom

Japan

Country

Japan

Date

5 October 1971

Appointment

Order of the Precious Crown, First Class

Ribbon

United Kingdom

Country

United Kingdom

Date

21 August 1990

Appointment

Recipient of the Royal Victorian Chain

Country	Date	Appointment	Ribbon	Post-nominal letters	Other
United Kingdom	12 June 1947	Companion of the Order of the Crown of India		CI
United Kingdom	23 June 1948	Dame of Justice of the Order of St John of Jerusalem		DJStJ
Netherlands	1948	Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
United Kingdom	1 June 1953	Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order		GCVO
Zanzibar	1956	Order of the Brilliant Star of Zanzibar, First Class
United Kingdom	20 June 1956	Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St John of Jerusalem		GCStJ
Belgium	1960	Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown
Uganda	1965	Order of the Crown, Lion, and Spear of Toro Kingdom
Japan	5 October 1971	Order of the Precious Crown, First Class
United Kingdom	21 August 1990	Recipient of the Royal Victorian Chain
		Recipient of the Royal Family Order of George V
		Recipient of the Royal Family Order of George VI
		Recipient of the Royal Family Order of Elizabeth II

Coat of arms of Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon · Titles, styles, honours and arms › Arms

Notes The Princess's personalized coat of arms were those of the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom with a label for difference. Escutcheon Quarterly 1st and 4th gules three lions passant guardant or 2nd or a lion rampant gules within a double tressure flory counterflory gules 3rd azure a harp or stringed argent Orders The Royal Victorian Order ribbon.VICTORIA Other elements The whole differenced by a label of three points Argent, first and third charged with a Tudor rose the second with a thistle proper Banner The princess's personal standard was that of Royal Standard of the United Kingdom, labelled for difference as in her arms. (in Scotland) Symbolism As with the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom. The first and fourth quarters are the arms of England, the second of Scotland, the third of Ireland.

· Issue

David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon

Name

David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon

Birth

3 November 1961

Marriage

8 October 1993Separated 2020

Marriage

Serena Stanhope

Issue

Charles Armstrong-Jones, Viscount LinleyLady Margarita Armstrong-Jones

Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones

Name

Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones

Birth

1 May 1964

Marriage

14 July 1994

Marriage

Daniel Chatto

Issue

Samuel ChattoArthur Chatto

Name	Birth	Marriage		Issue
David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon	3 November 1961	8 October 1993Separated 2020	Serena Stanhope	Charles Armstrong-Jones, Viscount LinleyLady Margarita Armstrong-Jones
Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones	1 May 1964	14 July 1994	Daniel Chatto	Samuel ChattoArthur Chatto

· External links

Academic offices