Princess Margaret

Princess Margaret (1930-2002), younger sister of Elizabeth II. She was born Margaret Rose on August 21, 1930, at Glamis Castle, Scotland, second daughter of the Duke of York (later George VI) and his wife, Elizabeth. She was privately educated. On the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936, her father succeeded to the throne. On turning 18 she assumed various ceremonial duties, such as official tours of Commonwealth territories, a role that increased following the death of her father in 1952. In 1955 she was refused permission by the government of Anthony Eden to marry Peter Townsend, an RAF groupcaptain and a former member of her father's staff, because he was a divorcee. She married the British photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960, a commoner who in 1961 was created Earl of Snowdon. They had two children, David Albert Charles, Viscount Linley (1961- ) and Lady Sarah Chatto (1964- ). The couple divorced in 1978 after two years' legal separation. Among her several interests, Margaret was president of the Royal Ballet, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and the Girl Guides.