Read to find out what happened during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II that involved Princess Margaret.
Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on June 2, 1953, in Westminster Abbey in London. The coronation ceremony was a grand and elaborate affair, steeped in tradition and pageantry.
That being said, the Queen's sister, the late Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon created some drama during the coronation.
Becoming the Queen
Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the British throne in 1953 following the death of her father, King George VI. She was crowned the following year on June 2, 1953, in a ceremony that was steeped in tradition and symbolism.
The coronation was a massive event, attended by over 8,000 guests and watched by millions of people around the world. The ceremony marked the beginning of a new era for Britain, as the country began to recover from the devastation of World War II and enter a period of peace and prosperity.
The young queen took up the mantle with grace and dignity, and her coronation was seen as a symbol of hope and renewal for the British people. During her reign, Queen Elizabeth has presided over numerous historic events, including the dismantling of the British Empire, the birth of Prince Charles and the subsequent births of her other children and grandchildren, and the celebration of her Platinum Jubilee in 2022, marking 75years on the throne.
Queen Elizabeth's coronation was a defining moment in her life, and she has continued to serve her country and her people with dedication and devotion ever since. Her reign has been marked by stability, continuity, and a deep sense of duty, and she is widely respected and admired both in the UK and around the world.
The sisters
Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret were sisters who had a close relationship throughout their lives. As children, they played together and shared a lot of their experiences growing up in the royal family. However, their relationship became more complex as they got older and the pressures of royal life began to weigh on them.
Princess Margaret was known for her vivacious personality and her love of the arts, while Queen Elizabeth was more reserved and focused on her royal duties. Despite their different personalities, the sisters remained close and supportive of each other. They were often photographed together at royal events, and Margaret was a regular guest at the Queen's private residences.
The drama
Princess Margaret's relationship with Group Captain Peter Townsend was a significant source of drama in her life. Townsend was a member of the royal household and a decorated war hero, but he was also a divorcee, which created complications when he fell in love with Margaret. The Queen and other members of the royal family were concerned about the public perception of a relationship between a princess and a divorced man.
The drama came to a head in 1955 when Margaret announced her intention to marry Townsend. The Queen could not approve the marriage, as it would have gone against the Church of England's rules on divorce. Margaret eventually decided to end the relationship, but it was a difficult and emotional time for both her and Townsend.
When Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952, she not only became the queen but also the functional head of her own family. The following year, the young queen was crowned at Westminster Abbey, and her younger sister, Princess Margaret, was in attendance.
However, rumors about Margaret's relationship with Group Captain Peter Townsend were rife in the European and American press. To avoid a scandal, the British media had been censoring reports of the affair, but the situation reached a boiling point when Margaret and Townsend were spotted sharing a moment after the coronation.
Townsend later recounted that Margaret had brushed a bit of fluff off his uniform, a gesture that seemed innocuous at the time but that proved to be a turning point in their relationship. The incident sparked a media frenzy, with the press now able to report on the affair. Despite the drama, Queen Elizabeth remained supportive of her sister and even intervened to help Margaret's eventual marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones.
Read more:
⋙ Queen Camilla's surprising secret to keeping fit ahead of historic coronation
⋙ King Charles III: The reason this band was removed from the coronation playlist
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