Answer in brief
Princess Margaret married photographer and filmmaker Antony (Tony) Armstrong-Jones on 6 May 1960 at Westminster Abbey in London. He was created Earl of Snowdon in 1961. They had two children, David and Sarah, before divorcing in 1978. This profile summarizes the marriage, the family, and the enduring public interest in their relationship.
Princess Margaret at a glance
Born 21 August 1930, Princess Margaret was the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Her early life was shaped by the constraints of royal duty and the expectations that came with being the sister of the heir, Princess Elizabeth. Her relationship with Antony Armstrong-Jones grew against this backdrop of tradition and public scrutiny, leading to a high-profile wedding that captured international attention in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Antony Armstrong-Jones: background and early life
Antony Armstrong-Jones was born 7 March 1930 in London to a family of artistic and commercial means. His father, Sir Rupert Armstrong-Jones, was a timber merchant, and his mother, Anne Parsons, was from a creative background. He attended Eton College and studied architecture at the University of Cambridge, though he left before graduating to pursue photography. His work in fashion and documentary photography brought him into elite social circles, setting the stage for his introduction to the royal family.
Career and public profile before the royal marriage
Armstrong-Jones built a reputation as a skilled portrait and fashion photographer. His first major commercial assignment covered the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, a project that raised his profile significantly. By the late 1950s, he was well-established among artists, writers, and socialites. His professional independence and creative ambition made him an attractive, if unconventional, match for a princess chafing at the restrictions of royal life.
The courtship and engagement
Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones met in the late 1950s through shared artistic and social interests. Their relationship developed quietly at first, drawing considerable attention once it became known to the press. The announcement of their engagement in February 1960 was met with both enthusiasm and skepticism, reflecting concerns about the suitability of a commoner marrying into the immediate family of the monarch. The engagement was closely watched as a potential shift in royal customs regarding marriage partners.
Details of the engagement
- Engagement announced: February 1960
- Engagement ring: A cabochon spinel flanked by diamonds, set in platinum
- Public reaction: Mixed, with support for the couple’s modern outlook tempered by tradition-bound expectations
The wedding and ceremonies
On 6 May 1960, Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones were married at Westminster Abbey in London. The ceremony was broadcast on television, bringing the event into living rooms across the United Kingdom and beyond. In the days that followed, celebrations reflected both the solemnity of the occasion and the era’s emerging cultural confidence. The marriage united a prominent royal figure with a photographer-artist, framing them as a modern, stylish couple.
Key facts about the wedding
| Detail | Verified detail | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 6 May 1960 | Court Circular and contemporary archives |
| Venue | Westminster Abbey, London | Official records and press reports |
| Bride’s dress designer | Norman Hartnell | Royal archives and exhibition catalogues |
| Attendance | Immediate family and select dignitaries | Contemporary accounts |
| Television broadcast | Yes, live coverage | Broadcast archives |
Life as the Earl and Countess of Snowdon
Following the wedding, Antony Armstrong-Jones was created Earl of Snowdon, granting Margaret the title Countess of Snowdon. As consort, he supported his wife in fulfilling royal duties while continuing his own creative work. The couple became known for their cultural interests, patronage of the arts, and modern approach to public life. Their public image reflected a partnership that seemed, in many ways, to align with the emerging social trends of the 1960s.
Children and family life
Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon had two children. Their firstborn, David Armstrong-Jones, was born in 1961 and later became the 2nd Earl of Snowdon. Their daughter, Sarah Armstrong-Jones, was born in 1964. The upbringing of their children balanced royal expectations with a more private family life, compared in some respects to contemporary patterns among working parents in public view.
- David Armstrong-Jones (born 3 November 1961)
- Sarah Armstrong-Jones (born 1 May 1964)
Challenges, separation, and divorce
By the mid-1970s, reports of marital difficulties surfaced, citing personal differences and the stresses of public life. In 1978, Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon were divorced, marking the end of their formal marriage. Both parties continued to be active in public and cultural life, with Margaret focusing on charity work and the arts. The divorce was notable as it was the first matrimonial dissolution within the present sovereign’s immediate family in modern times, underscoring how even prominent royal unions could face challenges distinct from those of the general public.
Timeline of key relationship milestones
| Date or Period | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Antony Armstrong-Jones born | Establishes background and age at time of meeting |
| 1960 | Wedding, 6 May 1960 | First commoner to marry a king’s daughter in centuries |
| 1961 | Armstrong-Jones created Earl of Snowdon | Formal recognition of his new status and role |
| 1961–1964 | Birth of David and Sarah | Key family milestones as a unit |
| 1978 | Divorce finalized | End of the formal marital relationship |
After the marriage
After the divorce, Princess Margaret remained a prominent member of the royal family, continuing her work in charities and the arts. The Earl of Snowdon also maintained a successful career in photography and design. Both focused on their respective professional lives while co-parenting their children. Their story is frequently referenced in discussions about modern royal relationships, illustrating both the possibilities and limits of personal choice within a highly structured institution.
Cultural and historical significance
The marriage of Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones is often regarded as a turning point in royal history. It demonstrated a willingness to adapt traditional practices while maintaining the symbolic importance of the monarchy. The union highlighted tensions between private happiness and public expectation, themes that continue to resonate as royal institutions evolve. Armstrong-Jones’s background as a photographer and artist also brought new cultural visibility to the royal household, linking the family more explicitly to contemporary arts and media.
Common questions and clarifications
Because their marriage was high-profile and ended in divorce, people often seek clarification about the details and significance of the relationship. Some wonder about the reasons for their split, the status of their children, and how the union influenced later royal policies on marriage. This overview addresses those points without speculating beyond what has been documented in authoritative sources, ensuring that the explanation remains reliable and useful over time.