Answer to the question: Who was Princess Margaret's husband?
Princess Margaret's husband was Antony Armstrong-Jones, whom she married in 1960 and who was created the 1st Earl of Snowdon in 1961. He was a respected photographer and filmmaker whose work defined many royal portraits. Their marriage was the first royal wedding to be televised and produced two children, David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon, and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones. The couple separated in the 1970s and divorced in 1978, though they maintained a public presence at family events for decades.
Background on Princess Margaret and the Royal Context
Princess Margaret, the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, became a distinctive and modern royal figure after World War II. Her position as the sister of the heir presumptive shaped expectations around duty, marriage, and public conduct. In the late 1950s, she began a relationship with Antony Armstrong-Jones, a photographer she met through professional circles. At the time, royal marriages were transitioning toward greater transparency and public interest, setting the stage for what became a landmark royal wedding.
Antony Armstrong-Jones: Profile and Career
Antony Armstrong-Jones (1930–2017) was a British photographer and filmmaker, known for his work documenting the royal family and high society. His visual style combined formal portraiture with intimate documentary moments. Armstrong-Jones was made a life peer in 1961, becoming the 1st Earl of Snowdon, a title that complemented his role as a working member of the royal household. His career intersected with major cultural shifts, from postwar reconstruction to Swinging London, and he remained a significant figure in British visual culture.
Professional Highlights
- Official royal photographer, responsible for many iconic images of Queen Elizabeth II and family
- Created Earl of Snowdon in 1961, establishing a lasting peerage
- Directed films and photography projects that blended reportage with art
Marriage Timeline and Ceremony Details
The couple's marriage unfolded in two ceremonies: a civil registration followed by a grand church service. Princess Margaret married Antony Armstrong-Jones on 6 May 1960 at Westminster Abbey, with the civil ceremony occurring earlier that day at the Palace of Westminster. The wedding was broadcast on television, making it the first royal wedding televised in full. The union symbolized both personal affection and the modernization of royal public events.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1958–1959 | Romance develops | Began in private, under media observation |
| 6 May 1960 | Civil and church wedding | First televised royal wedding |
| 1961 | Antony created Earl of Snowdon | Formal recognition and peerage established |
| 1960, 1961 | Birth of children | Two children: David and Sarah |
| 1970s–1978 | Separation and divorce | Reflects evolving personal and social norms |
Children and Family Life
Princess Margaret and her husband Antony Armstrong-Jones had two children. Their firstborn, David Armstrong-Jones, born in 1961, later became the 2nd Earl of Snowdon and is a recognized furniture designer and member of the royal family. Their second child, Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, born in 1964, has largely maintained a private professional and personal life. The family maintained a notable presence in royal documentation and public appearances during the 1960s, though the marriage faced challenges that eventually led to separation and divorce.
Separation, Divorce, and Later Years
The marriage struggled under the pressures of public scrutiny, Anthony's professional demands, and personal differences. By the 1970s, the couple had separated, and their divorce was finalized in 1978. Despite the separation, both remained active in royal life and appeared at significant family events for years. Antony Armstrong-Jones continued his photography and design work, while Princess Margaret maintained her royal duties until health issues reduced her public engagements later in life.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who did Princess Margaret marry? She married Antony Armstrong-Jones, made Earl of Snowdon, in 1960.
- How many children did they have? They had two children: David and Sarah Armstrong-Jones.
- Were they divorced? Yes, they separated in the 1970s and divorced in 1978.
- Was her husband a working royal? Yes, Earl of Snowdon held royal duties and was a working member of the family.
- What was the wedding notable for? It was the first royal wedding to be televised in full.
Sources and Verification
Details in this overview rely on historically documented royal records, biographies, and reputable news archives. Key facts—such as the wedding date, peerage creation, and children—are drawn from official announcements and established royal histories. These sources support an accurate, enduring explanation of Princess Margaret's married life without speculative or sensational framing.
Evergreen Takeaways
Understanding Princess Margaret's husband requires placing the marriage in its historical context: a royal union at the intersection of tradition and media expansion. The relationship exemplifies how personal choices intersected with public expectation in mid-20th-century monarchy. The lasting elements include the Earl of Snowdon title, the children's roles, and the wedding's status as a televised milestone that continues to shape public memory of that era.
Conclusion
Princess Margaret's husband was Antony Armstrong-Jones, the 1st Earl of Snowdon. Their marriage reflected evolving royal customs, produced two children, and ended in divorce after more than a decade. The union remains historically notable for being the first fully televised royal wedding, marking a lasting moment in the documentation of the British royal family.