The younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II was anything but a traditional royal. Princess Margaret lived life on her own terms, breaking conventions and raising eyebrows with her unapologetic approach to royal life. From her extravagant morning routines to her legendary parties on a private Caribbean island, Margaret’s wild side became the stuff of legend – and sometimes scandal – in Britain’s most famous family.
Morning routines fit for rebellious royalty
While most royals maintained strict schedules filled with official duties, Princess Margaret crafted her own unique morning ritual that would have made traditional courtiers faint. Her day began with breakfast in bed at 9 AM, but this wasn’t just any breakfast – it was an elaborate affair accompanied by chain-smoking and radio listening, setting the tone for her unconventional lifestyle.
The princess would spend two full hours immersed in newspapers while continuing her smoking habit, showing little concern for the traditional royal image. At precisely 12:30 PM, she would indulge in what she considered a proper pick-me-up: a glass of vodka to transition into the afternoon. This routine became so well-known that it was documented in multiple royal biographies.
Staff members who served the princess during these morning sessions recall her insistence on maintaining this routine regardless of the day’s scheduled events. Even when important meetings or engagements were planned, Margaret refused to alter her morning ritual, demonstrating her determination to live life on her own terms despite her royal status.
Perhaps most telling was her signature on checks – simply “Margaret” without any titles or royal designations. This small act of rebellion spoke volumes about her desire to be seen as her own person, separate from the weight of royal protocols and expectations that surrounded her position in the family.
The infamous dinner parties that shocked society
Princess Margaret’s dinner parties were notorious events that often tested the patience of her distinguished guests. Her reputation for tardiness was legendary – on one memorable occasion, she kept an entire party waiting for hours while her hairdresser perfected an elaborate coiffure, showing complete disregard for social etiquette.
With her husband, the Earl of Snowdon, she invented what became known as the “bread game” – a peculiar ritual where they would tear off pieces of bread whenever guests uttered clichés. This unconventional dinner entertainment often left their guests confused and uncomfortable, yet it perfectly exemplified the couple’s irreverent approach to social gatherings.
Her sharp wit and sometimes cruel remarks became legendary in social circles. When introduced to supermodel Twiggy at one such gathering, Margaret reportedly asked with deliberate condescension, “Who are you?” – a moment that perfectly captured her reputation for delivering calculated social cuts with precision timing.
These gatherings often evolved into late-night affairs where social boundaries blurred and conventional royal behavior was forgotten. Guests never knew quite what to expect, but they could be certain that a dinner party with Princess Margaret would be anything but ordinary.
Paradise found on Mustique island
In 1960, Princess Margaret discovered Mustique, a Caribbean paradise that would become her personal playground away from the scrutiny of British society. After falling in love with the island during her honeymoon with Antony Armstrong-Jones, she received a plot of land where she built her villa, Les Jolies Eaux.
The island transformed into an exclusive retreat for the wealthy and famous under Margaret’s influence. Rock legends like Mick Jagger and David Bowie built homes there, creating an enclave where royal protocol took a backseat to hedonistic pleasure. Even Queen Elizabeth II visited to witness the paradise her sister spoke about so enthusiastically.
It was on Mustique that Margaret’s affair with Roddy Llewellyn, a man 17 years her junior, blossomed. The relationship scandalized British society but seemed to energize the princess, who found in Mustique a place where she could truly be herself, away from the constraints of royal life.
The island remained her sanctuary until a tragic accident in 1999 when she suffered a bathroom fall that marked the beginning of her declining health. Yet even in her final years, Mustique represented everything Margaret sought in life – freedom, beauty, and escape from the rigid confines of royal expectations.
Adventures and scandals in America
Princess Margaret’s 1965 tour of the United States became a masterclass in royal rebellion. Arriving with an entourage and 50 pieces of luggage, she approached the trip with characteristic extravagance. Her presence captivated Americans, though her behavior often strayed far from traditional royal protocol.
In Hollywood, Margaret’s encounters with celebrities became legendary. Her meetings with Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Judy Garland didn’t always go smoothly, as the princess’s sharp tongue and unfiltered opinions created several awkward moments in Tinseltown.
The highlight of her American adventure was undoubtedly her visit to the White House, where she dined with President Lyndon Johnson. While some accounts suggest she engaged in drinking contests and recited risqué limericks, these stories remain disputed by historians, adding to the mystique of her American tour.
The trip’s controversy and expense led to Margaret being barred from making a follow-up visit to the United States in the early 1970s. Yet despite the scandals, she had succeeded in charming many Americans, who found her rebellious spirit refreshing compared to the usual royal restraint.
Marriage and affairs that rocked the monarchy
Princess Margaret’s romantic life regularly made headlines and tested the boundaries of royal acceptance. Her marriage to photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960 was groundbreaking – the first royal wedding to be televised and a union that brought an artistic commoner into the royal family.
The couple’s relationship was marked by passion and conflict from the start. Their marriage became increasingly turbulent, with both partners engaging in extramarital affairs. The situation reached a breaking point when Margaret’s relationship with Roddy Llewellyn became public knowledge in 1976.
When her private secretary delivered news of her husband’s desire for divorce, Margaret’s response was characteristically bold. “Thank you, Nigel. I think that’s the best news you’ve ever given me,” she reportedly declared, showing her typical disregard for conventional reactions to marital dissolution.
The divorce in 1978 marked the first in the immediate royal family since Henry VIII, setting a precedent that would impact future generations of royals. Margaret’s handling of her marriage’s end demonstrated her willingness to break with tradition when personal happiness was at stake.
Unconventional behaviors that defined her character
Margaret’s eccentricities extended far beyond the usual royal quirks. One particularly memorable incident involved her intense hatred of squirrels, which culminated in her chasing and attacking the creatures with an umbrella in a public park, much to the astonishment of onlookers.
As a houseguest, she developed a reputation for being particularly demanding. Her hosts often struggled to accommodate her precise requirements and timing preferences, earning her the unofficial title of “houseguest from hell” in certain social circles.
Her relationship with Princess Diana was notably strained, marked by undisguised animosity. While Diana won public hearts with her approachable nature, Margaret maintained her aloof and sometimes cutting demeanor, creating a stark contrast in royal personalities that fascinated the media and public alike.
These behavioral quirks and unfiltered responses to situations around her became Margaret’s trademark, setting her apart from the careful diplomacy typically associated with royal family members. Her authentic – if sometimes difficult – personality made her a unique figure in modern royal history.
Artistic endeavors and cultural influence
Beyond her rebellious reputation, Princess Margaret maintained a deep appreciation for the arts. Her marriage to photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones brought her closer to London’s creative circles, where she became a patron of various artistic endeavors and cultural institutions.
Her own artistic expression became evident in a controversial birthday portrait taken by Armstrong-Jones in 1959. The intimate photograph challenged royal photography conventions and sparked public discussion about the changing nature of monarchy in modern times.
Margaret’s influence extended to theater and music, where she developed close relationships with numerous performers and artists. Unlike many royals who maintained a dignified distance from popular culture, she embraced it, attending concerts and shows that might have raised eyebrows among more traditional family members.
Through these cultural connections, Margaret helped bridge the gap between the monarchy and Britain’s artistic community, though she did so in her characteristically unconventional way. Her support of the arts was genuine but never confined by traditional royal patronage models.
Social rules she loved to break
Throughout her life, Princess Margaret seemed to take particular delight in challenging social conventions. She regularly arrived fashionably late to events, sometimes keeping guests waiting for hours, demonstrating her disregard for traditional timekeeping expectations placed on royalty.
Her approach to formal occasions often involved bending or breaking established protocols. During her American tour, she frequently deviated from planned schedules and official protocols, creating diplomatic challenges for her handlers while entertaining the public.
Margaret’s smoking habit was notorious – she continued to smoke at public events long after it had become socially unacceptable. She maintained this behavior even in situations where it might embarrass other family members, showcasing her determination to live life on her own terms.
Her choice of friends and associates often raised eyebrows among traditional royalists. She cultivated relationships with artists, musicians, and other creative types who wouldn’t typically be found in royal circles, effectively creating her own alternative court.
Legacy of a royal rebel
Princess Margaret’s impact on the royal family extended far beyond her lifetime. Her willingness to challenge conventions and live authentically, despite her position, helped pave the way for future generations of royals to express themselves more freely and make unconventional choices.
Her personal struggles and triumphs have been dramatized in popular culture, most notably in The Crown, where her complex character has captivated new audiences. While these portrayals sometimes emphasize the scandalous aspects of her life, they also highlight her humanity and the challenges she faced.
Margaret’s relationship with her sister, Queen Elizabeth II, demonstrated the delicate balance between duty and personal freedom within the royal family. While their approaches to royal life differed dramatically, their bond remained strong, offering insights into the human side of monarchy.
Today, Princess Margaret is remembered not just for her scandals but for her authenticity in an institution often bound by tradition. Her legacy reminds us that even within the most rigid systems, there’s room for individuality and self-expression.
The final chapter of a fascinating life
The last years of Princess Margaret’s life marked a significant shift from her earlier vivacity. Following a bathroom accident in her beloved Mustique in 1999, her health began a steady decline that would change the course of her remaining years.
Despite her deteriorating physical condition, Margaret maintained her characteristic spirit. Her time on Mustique became less about wild parties and more about finding peace and contentment in her island paradise.
The princess who had once scandalized society with her behavior became increasingly reclusive, though she never lost her sharp wit or distinctive personality. Those close to her during this period noted that while her physical abilities diminished, her spirit remained undiminished.
When she passed away in 2002, the world lost not just a princess, but a true original who had helped modernize the monarchy through her unapologetic approach to life. Her final years, though marked by illness, demonstrated the same strength of character that had defined her entire existence.
Princess Margaret’s wild side – from her vodka-fueled mornings to her legendary parties in Mustique – painted a portrait of a royal who refused to be constrained by tradition. While some viewed her behavior as scandalous, others saw it as refreshingly honest. Her legacy lives on not just in historical records and popular culture, but in the more relaxed approach to royal protocol that subsequent generations have adopted. Margaret showed the world that even within the confines of monarchy, it was possible to be true to oneself – a lesson that continues to resonate long after her passing.
