Archbishop says no pressure was used on Margaret

November 3, 1955

Dr. Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury,  said today in a British Broadcasting Corporation television interview that neither the church nor the state put pressure on Princess Margaret to give up on marrying Group Captain Peter Townsend, according to the New York Times.

Most Britons believe that the Archbishop was "very deeply connected" with the Princess' decision, the interviewer said to the Archbishop.  

"Of course, she took advice," the Archbishop said. "She got plenty of advice asked for and a good deal more unasked for.  In the end it was her own decision and she was under no pressure from the state or the church."

Princess Margaret, 25, resumed her "arduous public life" tonight  as she alighted from her car to attend the commemoration service marking the 50th anniversary of the death of Dr. Thomas John Barnardo, founder of the homes for orphaned children.   A crowd was waiting in the "cold rain" for the Princess' arrival. They cheered as the Princess stepped out of her in front of St. Paul's Cathedral.

Group Captain Townsend spoke to reporters earlier today, telling them that he would remain at Uckfield throughout the weekend.  Uckfield is the home of Lord Rupert and Lady Camilla Nevill.

"After that I am going back to resume my post as air attache in Brussels, Belgium.