Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon

Princess Margaret was born on August 21, 1930, at Glamis Castle in Scotland, her mother's ancestral home. She was the second daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and the younger sister and only sibling of Queen Elizabeth II. She was affectionately known as Margot within the royal family. She was the first member of the royal family in direct line of succession to be born in Scotland since the 1600s. Princess Margaret's life changed dramatically at the age of six, when her father became king after the abdication of his brother Edward VIII in 1936. Her sister became heir presumptive, and Margaret was second in line to the throne until 1950, when her nephew Prince Charles was born. She spent much of her childhood with her parents and sister, living in Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle during the Second World War. She was educated at home by governesses and tutors, and later attended private schools. Princess Margaret was a lively and spirited child, who enjoyed music, dancing, and acting. She also had a keen interest in fashion and art. She was known for her charm and wit, as well as her rebellious streak. She often clashed with her mother over her choice of clothes and friends. She also had a difficult relationship with her sister, who was more reserved and dutiful than her. In the early 1950s, Princess Margaret fell in love with Group Captain Peter Townsend, a divorced Royal Air Force officer who served as an equerry to her father. Their romance caused a scandal in Britain and abroad, as the Church of England did not allow remarriage after divorce. The government and the public also disapproved of their relationship, fearing that it would damage the monarchy's reputation. In 1952, Princess Margaret's father died, and her sister became queen. Townsend proposed to Margaret in 1953, but she faced a dilemma: she had to choose between marrying him and losing her royal status and income, or giving him up and remaining a princess. After much anguish, she decided to end their relationship in 1955, stating that she was mindful of the church's teaching that Christian marriage is indissoluble, and conscious of her duty to the Commonwealth. In 1960, Princess Margaret married Antony Armstrong-Jones, a photographer and filmmaker who was later created Earl of Snowdon. Their wedding was the first royal wedding to be televised, attracting millions of viewers around the world. They had two children: David, born in 1961, and Sarah, born in 1964. The couple initially seemed happy and modern, but their marriage soon deteriorated due to their incompatible personalities and lifestyles. They both had extramarital affairs and separated in 1976. They divorced in 1978, making Princess Margaret the first senior member of the royal family to divorce since Henry VIII. Princess Margaret continued to perform official duties on behalf of the queen until the late 1990s. She also supported many charities and organizations, especially those related to children, health, and the arts. She was a patron of the Royal Ballet and the Scottish Ballet, as well as a president of the Girl Guides Association. She was also an avid traveller and visited many countries around the world. Princess Margaret's health declined in the last two decades of her life. She was a heavy smoker for most of her adult life and had a lung operation in 1985. She also suffered from depression and alcoholism. She had a mild stroke in 1998, which affected her vision and speech. She also scalded her feet in a bathroom accident in 1999, which impaired her mobility. She had two more strokes in 2000 and 2001, which left her partially paralyzed. She died on February 9, 2002, at the age of 71, after suffering a final stroke. She was cremated and her ashes were placed in the Royal Vault at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, next to the tomb of her parents.