June 2, 1953: Rumors of their affair emerge at the queen's coronation.ĭespite dating in secret for several years, rumors of their romance first circulate from their attendance at the queen's coronation, following the death of King George the previous year. The two still remain engaged, however, and continue their relationship in private. Margaret does not receive approval from the queen.

Townsend asks Margaret for her hand in marriage, but they are unable to wed due to the 1772 Royal Marriages Act, which required that Parliament approve the marriage if the woman was under the age of 25. April 1953: Townsend proposes to Margaret. November 1952: Townsend divorces his wife.įollowing 11 years of marriage and two young boys, Townsend officially divorces his wife, Rosemary Pratt, Marchioness Camden, in order to commit to Margaret. Townsend also accompanies Margaret on a trip to Belfast in October, and he requests to have his room at Hillsborough Castle moved next to hers. That's when I really fell in love with him.' In later years, Margaret reportedly tells a confidante, 'We rode together every morning in that wonderful country, in marvelous weather. His duty was to protect the princess throughout the trip, so the two spent a lot of time together. Ahead, see the historical overview of Margaret and Townsend's tempestuous love story, from its sweet beginnings to its heartbreaking end.Ī married Townsend meets then-teenager Margaret for the first time while accompanying the royal family on a three-month tour to South Africa.

Peter townsend y la princesa margarita