Unearthed letter shows how Princess Margaret really felt about marriage to Peter Townsend
She went on to marry Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon

Princess Margaret seemingly had an impossible choice to make in her twenties – between her royal title or the love of her life – but a previously unseen letter seemingly shows a different story.
- Princess Margaret wasn’t able to marry Peter Townsend as he was divorced.
- However, a previously unseen letter show that maybe she had doubts about marrying him.
- In other royal news, the Queen reunited with grandson Prince William and the rest of the Royal family for the first time since March.
The Queen’s sister’s impossible love was made even more famous with Netflix’s The Crown adaptation of the royal family’s life, and we were left to think she had no choice but to let the love of her life go because she didn’t want to lose her title.
However, a letter sent by Princess Margaret to Prime Minister Anthony Eden at the time – uncovered by The Telegraph – shows that the royal wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to marry Peter.
She wrote at the time, ‘I am writing to tell you, as far as I can of any personal plans during the next few months ... During the last of August and all September I shall be here at Balmoral, and I have no doubt that during this time – especially on my birthday on August 21st – the press will encourage every sort of speculation about the possibility of my marrying Group Captain Peter Townsend.
‘I am not going to see him during this time but in October I shall be returning to London, and he will then be taking his annual leave – I do certainly hope to see him while he is there...
‘But it is only by seeing him in this way that I feel I can properly decide whether I can marry him or not.
‘At the end of October or early November I very much hope to be in a position to tell you and the other Commonwealth Prime Ministers what I intend to do.
‘The Queen of course knows I am writing to you about this, but of course no one else does, and as everything is so uncertain I know you will regard it certainly as a confidence.’
Christopher Warwick, the princess’ official biographer, commented on the information at the time and said it “put a completely different complexion on the accepted version of events”.
He added, “This letter rewrites history, because here you’ve got a very determined and confident young woman in control of the situation, telling the Prime Minister that she has not decided and is wavering, which is at odds with what the public was led to believe and certainly with what she told me.
“The perception was that she gave up the love of her life for duty and protocol, but this letter sets a question mark over that.
“It shows that the love, conceivably, was not as strong as it was to begin with.
“It’s likely she didn’t want anyone other than Eden to know she’d had doubts, because it had gone so far.”
-
-
The best mascaras for sensitive eyes: our favorite delicate formulations
For those with delicate eyes or skin, finding the best mascaras for sensitive eyes takes a little more care and attention.
By Ayesha Muttucumaru •
-
Kobe Bryant widow Vanessa publicly criticizes rapper Meek Mill for lacking 'respect' and 'tact' over song lyric
The widow of the late basketball legend has lashed out at the rapper for 'insensitive' lyric referencing her husband
By Selina Maycock •
-
Kobe Bryant widow Vanessa publicly criticizes rapper Meek Mill for lacking 'respect' and 'tact' over song lyric
The widow of the late basketball legend has lashed out at the rapper for 'insensitive' lyric referencing her husband
By Selina Maycock •
-
Silent vibrator sales have rocketed during lockdown
Shh! The sales of quiet sex toys have skyrocketed during lockdown
By Laura Harman •
-
Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen team up for unlikely project
The former President has started a new venture with legendary singer-songwriter
By Selina Maycock •
-
When are self-catering holidays allowed in the UK and how far can you travel?
What are the new rules about holidays following the new UK lockdown announcement?
By Laura Harman •
-
A doctor explains the best ways to strengthen your Covid-19 vaccine
Dr. Michael Mosley shares his best tips on boosting the effectiveness of your vaccine
By Emma Dooney •
-
This is how Sarah Ferguson won over Prince Philip and the royal family
How Sarah Ferguson managed to win over the royal family
By Laura Harman •
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to help rebuild women’s shelter in Texas
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have provided financial aid to a Dallas domestic violence shelter after it was destroyed by Storm Uri
By Emma Dooney •
-
The Queen’s distant cousin, Simon Bowes-Lyon, is jailed for sexual assault at Glamis Castle
Simon Bowes-Lyon, a distant cousin of The Queen, has been jailed for attacking a woman
By Laura Harman •