Margarettroubled, beautiful and extravagant with her wealthwas a paparazzos dream, and the public was rabidly curious about her reportedly opulent life on Mustique. Under Tennants supervision, Mustique went from a scrubby, amenity-free island to a lush playground for the rich and famous. "I didn't think about the consequences of such a high-profile affair," he said. Trigger warning: The following paragraph continues an allusion to suicide. (d. 1999), an Olympic gold medallist in show jumping, and his wife, the Hon. Back in England, blurry photos of Margaret and a man 17 years her junior created a gossip-fueled scandal. It humanizes them, and it shows that if you prick them, they bleed like anybody else.". Kates coat was a Catherine Walker rewear; Diana wore her Moschino suit numerous times. She was getting older. Even though Snowdon had had his own affairs, his discretion allowed him to act the part of the injured partyeven making a public statement on television. He was so fun and warm that's what she needed. Llewellyn once reportedly said of Margaret, If our relationship ended, life for me would rather lose its point. I was just following my heart, Llewellyn later remarked of their eight-year liaison, which was exposed when paparazzi took photos of them swimming in the sea together (him in skimpy Union Jack trunks) and led to her divorce from Armstrong-Jones. From the aforementionedscandalous photos and Margaret's divorce to heightened media interest, Llewellyn's time with Margaret had extraordinary highs and supreme lows. Some health issues kept her away, but Margaret always had a reputation for indulging in royal splendors, getting paid handsomely, traveling the world, and not appearing at royal engagements or supporting charity work. They'd been together for something like eight years but they still remained friends," Warwick said. Subscribe. (Photo by . Though her family had cheered on her relationship with a commoner, the reality of their marriage was different from what Margaret, who had grown up in a rarefied royal environment, expected. Nonetheless, the release of the photographs forced Margaret and Llewellyn into a tough spot, with Llewellyn offering a mortified statement to the press that did not comment specifically on the photos but claimed that he was, in fact, just gardening in Mustique. By the late 1970s, husband and wife were distant. Correction: A previous version of this story included a quote believed to be written by Roddy Llewellyn. But as Beyer would soon realize, Finchs past wasnt what she claimedand Beyers own difficult history was up for the taking. With the Glenconners, they did a lot of it upTheyd actually get properly dressed up in full costume. Warwick questioned whether Margarets relationships before Llewellynboth of which were briefcould even really be called affairsbecause we think that an affair is going to be of some duration. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. While Margaret and Llewellyn met in 1973, their relationship wasn't made public until the couple was photographed by paparazzi together while on holiday on the island of Mustique. She revealed, "After Princess Margaret's funeral, the Queen, she said, 'I'd just like to say, Anne, it was rather difficult at moments, but I thank you so much [for] introducing Princess Margaret to Roddy 'cause he made her really happy. [12][13], On 11 July 1981, Llewellyn married Tatiana Soskin, a daughter of film producer Paul Soskin. Llewellyn now lives a relatively quiet life out of the public eye, but in 2002, he reflected on his relationship with Margaret in an interview with the Telegraph. FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Back in England, blurry photos of Margaret and a man 17 years her junior created a gossip-fueled scandal. I was on the launch team ofLookin 2007 - where I stuck around as deputy editor and acting editor for almost ten years - shaping a magazine and website at the forefront of body positivity, mental wellbeing and empowering features. The princess loved his Cockney accent, his rhyming slang and dirty jokes, Vicki said in a newspaper interview. In February 1974, Margaret invited Llewellyn to Les Jolies Eaux, her villa on the Caribbean island of Mustique. Taken in Mustique in 1976 roughly three years after the pair first met, they're candid by today's standards, but were enough to spark a royal frenzy (pun intended) and lead to Lord Snowdon separating from, and then divorcing Margaret, (which, by all accounts, the princess wasabsolutely fine with (opens in new tab)). Looking for more? Otherwise Warwick said he is fairly certain the princess would have attended her exs wedding. Their. Princess Margaret swims with boyfriend Roddy Llewellyn in Mustique, 1976. Whereas most other royals served as a mere photographic subject, Margaret also doubled as a muse. In the late Sixties she had been introduced to John Bindon, a Cockney bit-part actor whod appeared in the film Quadropheniaand sometime gangster who apparently inspired Vinnie Joness character in Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels. Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis/Getty Images. In the documentary Elizabeth: Our Queen, Lady Anne Glenconner, who was one of the Queen's maids during her coronation, revealed that the monarch was in favor of Margaret's extramarital relationship with Llewellyn. We dance, we sing, we're generally happy, and I don't see why things should not continue as they are forever." Photo Shows: Roddy Llewellyn the boy friend of Princess Margaret. Eventually, they broke up, and in July of 1981, he married Tatiana Soskin. The queen wanted Margaret to end things with Llewellyn, but the princess felt he was a source of love and support she couldn't do without. Left, from Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images; right, by Anwar Hussein/WireImage. Town & Country reports that photos of Margaret and Llewellyn on their tropical trip together surfaced just as Margaret and Lord Snowdon began to reveal they were separating. [4][5], Beginning in 1973, Llewellyn, then aged 25, began an affair with Princess Margaret, then 43. Hello Marie Clairereaders you have reached your daily destination. Undergoing a series of health issues, including several strokes, the princess all but retreated from public life. Llewellyn issued a public statement which said, "I much regret any embarrassment caused to Her Majesty the Queen and the royal family, for whom I wish to express the greatest respect, admiration and loyalty". Why Princess Margaret Sacrificed Love for 'Duty,' While Prince Harry Followed His Heart, Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty, Les Lee/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty, Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones' Relationship Timeline, All About Queen Elizabeth's Sister, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend's Relationship: A Look Back, Queen Elizabeth II's Final Resting Place Marked with New Ledger Stone, Queen Elizabeth Will Be Buried with Her Husband, Parents and Sister, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's Relationship: A Look Back, All About Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones' 2 Kids, Queen Elizabeth's Coffin Makes Last Procession Before Leaving London for Final Resting Place, Palace Confirms Queen Elizabeth's Private Burial: 'May Flights of Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest', Queen Elizabeth's Family and Staff Attend Historical Committal Service at St. George's Chapel, Princess Anne Was Only Female Royal Family Member to Walk in Queen Elizabeth's Funeral Processions, Prince Harry and Meghan Sit Beside Prince William and Kate's Family at Queen's Committal Service, monarch was in favor of Margaret's extramarital relationship. ), "I am not prepared to comment on any of the events of last week. She was drinking too muchshe would have her Famous Grouse [whiskey] and waterand she was very lonely. (In 1978, all hell broke loose when the British tabloids published paparazzi pictures of Margaret frolicking in Mustique with gardener Roddy Llewellyn, who was 18 years her junior.). (opens in new tab). Speaking to a Channel 5 documentary, Glenconner recounted, After Princess Margarets funeral, the queen, she said, Id just like to say Anne, it was rather difficult at moments, but I thank you so much for introducing Princess Margaret to Roddy cause he made her really happy., Margaret and Lord Snowdons doomed romance When the Queen met Jackie and JFK ", Nevertheless, Margaret seemed to know that divorce from Antony was her only choice if she ever wanted to pursue a relationship with Llewellyn or simply live a simpler, happier life. He also gave her fun at a time when she hadn't been having much.". As Margarets official biographer Christopher Warwick told Vanity Fair, many of the details in The Crowns episode are anchored in truth. Margarets marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones, the First Earl of Snowdon, was already on the rocks, but it would take the photographs of her frolicking on a private island with another man to put the final nail in its coffin. Roddy Llewellyn meets the press in the Kasbah in Tangier, Morocco, to refuse to discuss his relationship with Princess Margaret, 14th May 1978. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, At Les Jolies Eaux (The Beautiful Waters), an extravagant ten-acre villa, Margaret could relax and entertain her closest friends without worrying about public scrutiny. As the digital director for Town & Country, Caroline Hallemann covers culture, entertainment, and a range of other subjects, .css-1du65oy{color:#323232;display:block;font-family:NewParis,Georgia,Times,serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-font-smoothing:auto;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1du65oy:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.3125rem;line-height:1.2;}}Kate Middleton Makes the Case for Houndstooth, Prince William & Kate Middleton Visit Wales, Courteney Cox Hasn't Read Prince Harry's Memoir, Historic Photos of King George VI's Coronation, William And Kate Cheer On Opposing Sports Teams, Prince Harry to Have Intimate Online Conversation, Lady Susan Hussey Returns to Royal Duties, King Charles Letter on Anniversary of Ukraine War. Back in the 60s, when Snowdon was away on a photographic assignment, he asked a friend of both of theirs, called Anthony Barton, to come and keep the princess company, Warwick said of Margarets reported affair with Bartona Bordeaux wine producer and the godfather of Margaret and Snowdons daughter, Sarahin 1966. Roddy now lives a quiet life, relatively out of the spotlight, but in 2002, he reflected on his relationship with Margaret. Eventually, Margaret and Llewellyn broke up, and in July of 1981, he married Tatiana Soskin. Margaret happened to be out of the countryon an official visit to Canadawhen Llewellyn and Soskin married. And so that was a part of it, so he was constantly referred to as her Toy Boy. Politicians called him that when they were attacking the royal family in parliament. 2023 A&E Television Networks, LLC. Until her marriage dissolved, the royal family had looked down on divorce. However, Antony's public support of the princess was short-lived. Margaret's biographer Theo Aronson made this comment some years later, "He was well-mannered, well-spoken, and amusing; above all, he was very sweet-natured. Assured that he would not need to pay for much on the vacation, Llewellyn accepted the offer and shared a blissful stayone he told his brother had been like a honeymoon. While there, he worked with the princesss gardener to transform the grounds at Margarets private 10-acre estate Les Jolies-Eaux., Roddy was a gardener, Warwick said. Tell her. They went off and had tea and kind of hit it off., Margaret biographer Theo Aronson noted, He was well-mannered, well-spoken, and amusing; above all, he was very sweet-natured. I confidently predicted theyd be a one-hit wonder in the pages of Bliss magazine where I was deputy editor through the second half of the 90s. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Shortly after the tabloid photos were publicized, the princess and Snowdon announced they were getting divorcedit was finalized in 1978and all eyes turned to Llewellyn. He came to tea with me and Harry [Treadaway], who plays Roddy. I was just following my heart.". While Margaret and Llewellyn met in 1973, their relationship wasn't made public until the couple was photographed by paparazzi together while on holiday on the island of Mustique. 60 Photos of Princess Margaret Through the Years Queen Elizabeth II's sister had a very colorful life. "He said they found each other just at the right time. After seeing Margaret fall in love with Mustique during her first visit, Lord Glenconner gifted her a plot of land as a wedding present and offered to build her a house. The pictures created quite the scandal back home in the U.K., as Margaret was still married to her husband, Antony Armstrong-Jones. Lady Anne Glenconner, who introduced Margaret and Llewellyn, recounted that the Queen approached her at Margaret's funeral and thanked her for bridging the gap between the former couple years prior. [17], Llewellyn is portrayed by Simon Woods in the 2005 film The Queen's Sister,[18] and by Harry Treadaway in the Netflix series The Crown.[19]. [14][15] The couple have three daughters, Alexandra, Natasha, and Rosie. Here's Llewellyn en route to the airport to Mustique in 1976: Llewellyn in a skintight Union Jack print swimsuit: There are a couple of other photos from Mustique floating aboutonehere (opens in new tab)shows Margaret speaking with Llewellyn under a parasolbut nothing that could be considered capital S-scandalous. They drank. And I dont think the queen was happy that the photograph appeared. After consulting with the queen and her advisers, Margaret and Snowdon decided on an immediate separationnews of which was released by the palace. 2023 Cond Nast. Search instead in Creative? However, her life post-divorce and specifically post-Roddy Llewellyn was notably lonely, and her status as the "spare" royal to Queen Elizabeth II seemed to take hold even more. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Per Margaret biographer Theo Aronson, the short-lived, highly charged affairwould have remained a secret had the Princess not, as is claimed, telephoned Bartons wife, Eva, to confess all and to say how sorry she was. As such, Llewellyn came to know Margaret as a lover, a royal, a mentor, and a friend. Margaret's divorce became the first royal split since King Henry VIII and Anne of Cleaves and that separation dates back to 1540. Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you. Queen Elizabeth granted permission for Roderic "Roddy" Llewellyn to visit her sister's burial site on Wednesday, which marked two decades since Princess Margaret died at age 71, according to Richard Eden of the Daily Mail. She was drinking too much she would have her Famous Grouse [whiskey] and water and she was very lonely. He regularly lectures, appearing at venues including the Retirement Show at Olympia, Glasgow and Manchester (chairing question and answer sessions), Dobbies Garden Centre ("Inspirational Ideas for the Garden"), Hereford Cathedral ("Interesting Ideas for the Garden"), Malvern Spring Gardening Show ("Who are better Gardeners Men or Women? For one thing, according to Aronson, he was not accustomed to life at so elevated a level: The princess, for all her approachability and affection (at least where he was concerned), still lived and behaved like a member of the royal family. What she claimedand Beyers own difficult history was up for the taking # x27 ; s sister a. 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