10 Shocking Secrets And Newly Revealed Facts About Princess Margaret, The Royal Rebel

Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, remains one of the most compelling and controversial figures in the history of the British Royal Family. Even two decades after her passing in 2002, new biographies and historical analyses—especially those amplified in the wake of the popular series The Crown—continue to unearth layers of her complex and often tragic life. As of December 2025, the narrative surrounding the Queen's younger sister is shifting, moving beyond the well-trodden path of her glamorous, rebellious image to explore deeper, more sensitive personal struggles.

Her story is a captivating blend of royal duty and personal defiance, a life lived constantly in the shadow of her sister, Queen Elizabeth II. This deep dive uncovers the most recent, unique, and often heartbreaking facts about the woman who was born a princess but yearned for the freedom of an ordinary citizen, a curiosity that continues to drive public interest.

Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon: A Complete Royal Profile

Princess Margaret Rose Windsor was the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Her life, though marked by immense privilege, was also defined by a series of personal sacrifices and public controversies, cementing her legacy as the original "royal rebel."

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• Full Name: Princess Margaret Rose Windsor
• Titles: Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon; Viscountess Linley
• Born: August 21, 1930, Glamis Castle, Scotland
• Died: February 9, 2002, King Edward VII's Hospital, London (Aged 71)
• Parents: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
• Sibling: Queen Elizabeth II
• Husband: Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon (Married 1960, Divorced 1978)
• Children: David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon (Viscount Linley); Lady Sarah Chatto
• Key Residences: Kensington Palace (Apartment 1A), Clarence House, Royal Lodge, Les Jolies Eaux (Mustique)

The Invisible Disability Claim: A New, Shocking Theory

One of the most recent and controversial claims to emerge about Princess Margaret’s life suggests a potential explanation for her lifelong struggles, which often manifested as erratic behavior, mood swings, and a reliance on alcohol and cigarettes. A new royal biography has put forward the theory that Princess Margaret may have suffered from an "invisible disability" known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).

This claim posits that the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth, may have consumed alcohol during her pregnancy with Margaret, leading to the condition. While unproven and highly sensitive, the theory attempts to reframe Margaret’s notorious reputation for being difficult or petulant, suggesting her challenges were rooted in a neurodevelopmental disorder. This perspective encourages a more compassionate, modern view of her life, suggesting her struggles were not simply character flaws but symptoms of a deeper, undiagnosed issue.

The alleged difference in the Queen Mother's drinking habits between her two pregnancies is cited as a reason why Queen Elizabeth II did not share similar struggles, making this a unique and explosive point of discussion among royal historians today.

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The Defining Controversies: Love, Sacrifice, and Divorce

Princess Margaret’s life was a constant battle between the rigid expectations of the monarchy and her own passionate, bohemian spirit. Her romantic life, in particular, became a source of national and international scandal.

1. The Unthinkable Sacrifice: Peter Townsend

The great love of Margaret's life was Group Captain Peter Townsend, a decorated RAF officer and a divorced man. Their desire to marry in the mid-1950s ignited a constitutional crisis. Under the Royal Marriages Act 1772 and the Church of England's stance on remarriage after divorce, Margaret required the consent of her sister, the Queen, and Parliament.

The Queen, as head of the Church, was in an impossible position. Ultimately, Margaret issued a heartbreaking public statement in 1955, declaring she would not marry Townsend, choosing duty to the Commonwealth over personal happiness. This decision, though dutiful, is widely seen as the moment her life took a deeply unhappy turn, leading to her famous "royal rebel" persona.

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2. The Groundbreaking Royal Wedding: Antony Armstrong-Jones

In 1960, Margaret married the society photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, a commoner known for his artistic, unconventional lifestyle. The wedding was the first royal wedding to be broadcast on television, a groundbreaking moment that brought the monarchy into the homes of millions and signaled a shift toward a more modern, publicly accessible Royal Family.

Their marriage was notoriously turbulent, marked by mutual infidelities, explosive arguments, and contrasting lifestyles. Antony was later created the 1st Earl of Snowdon. The couple had two children, David and Sarah.

3. The Royal Divorce

By the 1970s, the marriage had completely broken down. Margaret's highly publicized relationship with Roddy Llewellyn, a landscape gardener 17 years her junior, became front-page news. In 1978, Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon formally divorced, marking the first royal divorce since King Henry VIII in 1540. This act was a seismic event, setting a precedent that would later be followed by three of her nephews and nieces.

The Enduring Legacy: Children, Grandchildren, and Mustique

Princess Margaret's impact is not just in her controversies, but in her enduring family legacy and her influence on royal culture.

1. Her Children: The Artistic Lineage

Margaret and Lord Snowdon's children, David Armstrong-Jones (now the 2nd Earl of Snowdon) and Lady Sarah Chatto, have both pursued careers in the arts, reflecting their father's bohemian background and their mother's appreciation for culture.

• David Armstrong-Jones: A successful furniture maker and businessman, he inherited his father's title. He maintains a close, discreet relationship with the senior members of the Royal Family.
• Lady Sarah Chatto: Known for her quiet, artistic demeanor, she is a professional painter and Vice President of the Royal Ballet. She was reportedly one of the closest relatives to her aunt, Queen Elizabeth II, and is known for her avoidance of the royal spotlight.

Princess Margaret is also survived by four grandchildren: Samuel Chatto, Arthur Chatto, Charles Armstrong-Jones (Viscount Linley), and Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones.

2. The Mustique Connection

Margaret's private island retreat, Les Jolies Eaux, on the Caribbean island of Mustique, became synonymous with her lifestyle. The land was a wedding gift from her friend, Colin Tennant (Lord Glenconner). Mustique was her escape from the scrutiny of London and a place where she could truly be herself, hosting a mix of famous artists, musicians, and socialites. This association made her a key figure in the jet-set culture of the 1960s and 70s, further cementing her image as the glamorous, unconventional royal.

Princess Margaret’s life was a masterclass in the tension between duty and desire. The new claims of an "invisible disability" offer a fresh, complex lens through which to view her struggles, painting a picture of a woman burdened by the constraints of her birthright. Her story—the forbidden love with Peter Townsend, the groundbreaking marriage to Lord Snowdon, and the eventual divorce—continues to define the modern royal narrative, proving that the rebellious princess remains one of the most fascinating and human members of the British Royal Family.