There’s a scene in the seventh episode of The Crown’s second season, "Matrimonium," that sticks with you. It’s where Princess Margaret is deep in conversation with her sister, Queen Elizabeth, about her upcoming nuptials to society photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones. With a fierce determination in her eyes, Margaret declares, “I know who I am, and what I represent. A woman in my own right. A woman for the modern age. And above all, a woman who is free. Free to live, free to love, and free to break away.”
Now, Elizabeth quickly shoots down this revolutionary sentiment, pointing out that Margaret had always cherished the privileges her royal status afforded her. But the poignancy of the moment remains. Because, let’s be honest, whether you loved her or loathed her, no one did more to modernize the royal family than Princess Margaret—not even the Queen herself.
Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
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Breaking the Mold: Margaret’s Role in Modernizing the Royal Family
The theme of modernization in the royal family is a recurring thread throughout the second season of The Crown. Episode five, "Marionettes," highlights this when Lord Altrincham critiques the Queen’s perceived out-of-touch nature. Margaret, on the other hand, was all about blending into the Swinging '60s scene. She embraced the fashion, the lifestyle, and the attitudes of the era. She wasn’t just a royal; she was a celebrity. Her hair was styled by Vidal Sassoon, and she indulged in drinking, smoking, and a liberal attitude toward relationships. In many ways, she couldn’t have been more different from her buttoned-up sister.
Of course, The Crown is a semi-fictional account. What about the real-life Margaret and her legacy? Well, let’s just say she was a trailblazer in more ways than one.
Firsts and Scandals: Margaret's Pioneering Role
For starters, Margaret did everything first. Her marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones broke royal tradition in a big way. She was the first daughter of a king in 400 years to marry a commoner who wasn’t of royal or aristocratic blood. This marriage paved the way for her niece Princess Anne, her nephews Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, and great-nephews Prince William and Prince Harry. In fact, most royal marriages since have followed in her footsteps. Prince Charles’ first marriage to Princess Diana was an exception, as Diana came from an aristocratic background.
At the time, Margaret’s union with Antony was considered scandalous in royal circles. Many European royal families boycotted the wedding, with Queen Ingrid of Denmark being one of the few who attended. Yet, the public largely supported the couple. Their marriage was also the first royal wedding to be televised, with an audience of over 20 million people tuning in. It’s hard to imagine the current royals not allowing the same privilege today.
Divorce and Legacy: Margaret's Lasting Impact
While her marriage marked her first major break from royal tradition, it was her divorce that truly changed the game. As Christopher Warwick notes in his book Princess Margaret: A Life Of Contrasts, Margaret inadvertently made royal divorce acceptable. Her niece and nephews later followed suit, with three of them getting divorced themselves. However, Margaret faced harsh criticism from the press at the time, in 1978.
Margaret's relationship with the media was also groundbreaking. At just 18, she became a tabloid sensation when photographers captured her in a bathing suit while swimming in Capri. The resulting images sparked debates among journalists about their appropriateness. Coming of age during the dawn of celebrity culture and tabloid journalism, Margaret was a natural choice for the press. Her beauty and status as the younger sister of the most famous woman in the world made her irresistible to journalists.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, and Meghan Markle have all inherited this royal "celebrity" status. While Margaret didn’t leave behind a rulebook for handling the press, her legacy as the first royal to truly play the media at their own game is undeniable. Her successors have learned to navigate this complex relationship to varying degrees.
Lessons for the Next Generation
Margaret’s struggles as the so-called "spare" offer valuable lessons for the royals who came after her. Her tumultuous formative years, marked by partying and indulgence, paved the way for Prince Harry’s similar journey.
