Overview of Queen Elizabeth II's Children
Queen Elizabeth II had four children: Prince Charles (now King Charles III), Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. Of these, two are daughters: Anne and Margaret. This article focuses on those daughters, describing their birth order, key life milestones, roles, and how they fit into the broader Royal Family structure. Information is drawn from official records and authoritative biographies to provide a durable, fact-first reference.
Birth Order and Early Life
The two daughters were born at different points in Elizabeth's early reign. Princess Anne arrived first, born in 1950 when Elizabeth was still Princess Elizabeth and heir presumptive. Princess Margaret was born in 1930, before Elizabeth's accession, during the reign of King George V. Their positions within the family and the historical contexts of their births shape many of their early experiences and public expectations.
Princess Anne, The Princess Royal
Princess Anne was born on 15 August 1950 at Clarence House. She is the only daughter and eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II. She became second in line to the throne at birth, and later third in line after the births of her brothers. Anne married Captain Mark Phillips in 1973, had two children, and maintained a focus on duty and equestrian interests. She was granted the title The Princess Royal in 1987, consolidating her role as the Queen's senior female child.
Princess Margaret
Princess Margaret was born on 21 August 1930 at Glamis Castle, Scotland. As the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, she was a prominent figure throughout her sister's early life. In 1960, she married Antony Armstrong-Jones, with whom she had two children before divorcing in 1978. Margaret's personal choices and public life often attracted scrutiny; she stepped back from full royal duties after health challenges and lived largely in seclusion during later years.
Key Milestones and Roles
Both sisters occupied distinct but significant roles in the Royal Family. Princess Anne became known for her rigorous public schedule, extensive charity work, and service in organizations such as Save the Children. Her longevity in public duty and lack of retirement reflect her ongoing commitment. Princess Margaret, while younger, held a vibrant public presence in mid-century, participating in tours and cultural events, before health and personal circumstances reshaped her later life. Their differing paths illustrate how royal daughters can adapt to evolving expectations.
Succession and Legitimacy at Birth
At the time of each daughter's birth, rules of succession were based on male-preference primogeniture. Princess Anne's birth solidified the line of succession after her mother became queen, yet the 1950 Act of Settlement initially excluded her from the throne because she was a female. Subsequent reforms, including the Perth Agreement, removed male preference, though by then her brother and nephews occupied senior positions. Both sisters' legitimacy and place in royal protocols were clarified through letters patent and official declarations, cementing their formal roles.
| Name | Date of Birth | Birth Order Among Daughters | Key Title(s) | Notable Roles/Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Anne | 15 August 1950 | First (only daughter at birth) | The Princess Royal | Equestrianism, longest-serving royal, Save the Children leadership |
| Princess Margaret | 21 August 1930 | Second (younger daughter) | Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon | 1960s cultural figure, marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones, health-related reduced duties |
Marriage, Family, and Public Life
Each daughter's marital choices influenced their public profiles. Princess Anne's marriage to Mark Phillips, a commoner and naval officer, signaled a shift toward more modern royal partnerships; they later divorced, and Anne remarried Timothy Laurence in 1992. Princess Margaret's marriage to photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones was seen as a glamorous union, producing children Lady Sarah Chatto and David Armstrong-Jones, the 2nd Earl of Snowdon. Both daughters balanced family life with public engagements, though Margaret's later years were marked by health issues and limited appearances.
Differences and Similarities
While Anne and Margaret shared the experience of growing up as royal daughters during a time of changing media and constitutional roles, they developed distinct personalities and spheres of influence. Anne cultivated a reputation for toughness, discipline, and longevity in service, often described as the hardest-working royal. Margaret embodied mid-century glamour and artistic interests but faced personal challenges that reduced her public presence. Comparing them reveals how royal daughters navigate duty, public scrutiny, and personal fulfillment in different ways.
- Anne served continuously in official duties for over six decades.
- Margaret's public career peaked in the 1950s and 1960s, then waned after the 1970s.
- Both were excluded from succession to the throne at birth due to male-preference rules, though reforms later acknowledged their places in the family structure.
- Each married commoners, though at different times and with different outcomes for their public roles.
Contemporary Relevance
Today, Anne remains a full working royal with a defined portfolio, while Margaret's public role ended decades ago. Their positions within the family are framed more by history and legacy than by current duties. Succession now centers on the descendants of Charles III and the younger branches, yet Anne and Margaret continue to be referenced in discussions about the Queen's legacy, the evolution of royal women's roles, and the adaptation of the monarchy to modern expectations.
Evolution of Royal Rules and Perception
Over time, the monarchy adjusted rules affecting royal daughters, from marriage protocols to financial provisions. During Margaret's youth, expectations emphasized ceremonial and social roles; by Anne's adulthood, the emphasis shifted toward professional engagement and charity leadership. These shifts reflect broader cultural changes, including greater gender equality and media transparency. Understanding this context helps explain why Anne and Margaret followed different paths despite sharing the same parents and royal upbringing.