Princess Margaret example essay topic
Townsend saw the princess only twice more, once in 1958 and again in 1993, when he was invited to the Royal Palace. He died in 1995. Seen as the "black sheep" of the royal family, Margaret subsequently entered into a tumultuous 18-year marriage to another commoner, the photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones (who became Earl of Snowdon). The two married in 1960 and had two children, David (Viscount Linsey) and Sarah. Though both Margaret and her husband were unfaithful during their marriage, the royal family resisted the idea of a separation as far too scandalous.
Finally, after tabloid photographs surfaced showing Margaret with her latest flame, Roddy Llewellyn, Snowdon's request for a divorce was granted; he remarried five months later. Margaret continued her relationship with Llewellyn-a gardener and aspiring pop singer 17 years her junior-for seven years, frequently defending his often reckless behavior. As the turmoil surrounding her private life subsided, Margaret continued to make public appearances for the Girl Guides Association-she now serves as president and chairman of the organization-and numerous other charities. She is a patron or president of over 80 organizations, many of which support children. Her lifelong passion for music and ballet led her to be named the first president of the Royal Ballet in 1957, and she also received honorary degrees from the Universities of Cambridge and Keele. A longtime smoker, Princess Margaret quit the habit in recent years, but had various issues with her health.
After suffering a series of debilitating strokes, Margaret died on February 9, 2002, at the age of 71.