October 23, 1955
Princess Margaret spent today at Windsor Castle with her sister, Queen Elizabeth II and brother-in-law, the Duke of Edinburgh. The princess did not meet with Group Captain Peter Townsend. This was only the second time in eleven days that princess has not met with the 40-year-old divorced man, who many believe will marry Princess Margaret.
Princess Margaret left the castle once today to attend church services with her sister and brother-in-law. Group Captain Townsend has remained at his London residence.
The public discussion of the Princess's romance continues. The popular view is that Margaret "should be permitted to marry anyone she chooses."
But a commentator in the Observer wrote that if Margaret chooses to marry Townsend, she should renounce her "royal rights and privileges, including the right of succession to the throne." Noting that Queen Elizabeth II is head of the Church of England, the writer said that it would be "improper" for Princess Margaret to enter into a marriage that would not be recognized by the Church of England.
3 comments:
I understand that Elizabeth and Philip were very sympathetic to Margaret's situation.
Elizabeth as Queen (and still a very young person herself at that time) was very much influenced by the "Establishment" at the time.
It was a very sad time for both sisters.
Sincerely, Keith.
I read that the Queen was sympathetic, but not Philip.
Still, the Queen and Prime Minister Anthony Eden drew up a plan that would allow Margaret to marry Townsend and still retain most of her privileges. The only concessions she'd have to make were to lose her place in the line of royal succession and not be able to marry in a religious ceremony.
Presumably, Margaret was made aware of this plan, but Townsend was kept in the dark. Philip might have known about it and didn't seem to object, even if he wasn't excited about it.
But Margaret did not take up the offer for her own reasons. Perhaps that was a mistake, as Townsend went on to achieve a happy second marriage, while Margaret's only marriage to Snowdon failed.
it has been noted that there was nothing in the Royal Marriages Act that required a renouncement of rights. Moreover, a British royal cannot renounce their rights to the throne for themselves or their children. It would have taken an act of Parliament as only Parliament can make laws on the succession.
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