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The Complex Sisterhood Of Queen Elizabeth II & Princess Margaret | Two Sisters | Real Royalty

Real Royalty・28 minutes read

Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret had different personalities and pursuits, with Elizabeth preparing for her future role as monarch and Margaret focusing on traditional education. Elizabeth's life changed significantly during World War II, becoming a symbol of public service and responsibility through her involvement in the war effort, while Margaret faced personal challenges and marital difficulties that shaped her public perception.

Insights

  • Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret had contrasting personalities and upbringings, with Elizabeth being groomed for her future role as monarch through private tutoring, while Margaret pursued a more traditional education. Elizabeth's involvement in World War II transformed her into a figure of public service, boosting morale and shaping her public image.
  • Princess Margaret, despite facing challenges in her personal life, played a supportive role in modernizing the monarchy by taking on royal duties and pursuing her passion for the arts, ultimately paving the way for future royals to lead more normal lives in the public eye.

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  • Who was Queen Elizabeth II's sister?

    Princess Margaret

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Summary

00:00

Contrasting Princesses: Elizabeth and Margaret's Lives

  • Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret were vastly different in personality and upbringing.
  • Elizabeth was born in London in 1926, while Margaret was born in Scotland four years later.
  • Their father, Albert, became King George VI after the abdication of Edward VIII.
  • Edward VIII abdicated due to his desire to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.
  • Elizabeth received private tuition to prepare for her future role as monarch, while Margaret focused on traditional education.
  • During World War II, Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a mechanic and driver.
  • The royal family chose to stay in England during the war to send a message of solidarity.
  • Elizabeth's involvement in the war effort was well-received by the public and boosted morale.
  • Elizabeth's unexpected choice of love during the war brought her closer to the public gaze.
  • The war years transformed Elizabeth from a princess to a figure of public responsibility and service.

16:27

Queen Elizabeth's Marriage and Ascension to Queen

  • Queen Elizabeth first met Prince Phillip at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth when she was 13 years old.
  • The couple spent Christmas together three years later, despite disapproval from Elizabeth's parents, the king and queen.
  • Elizabeth and Phillip were married on November 20, 1947, at Westminster Abbey, in a grand ceremony during a time of austerity.
  • The wedding marked the first major royal event since the king and queen's coronation a decade earlier.
  • Elizabeth gave birth to her first child, Charles, on November 14, 1948, followed by three more children over the next 16 years.
  • Princess Margaret's relationship with Elizabeth changed with Phillip's arrival, and the birth of Charles solidified this shift.
  • King George VI's health declined, leading to his death on February 6, 1952, when Elizabeth was in Kenya, making her the new queen.
  • Margaret's desire to marry Group Captain Peter Townsend faced opposition due to his divorce and existing family.
  • Elizabeth struggled with allowing Margaret to marry Townsend due to legal and religious constraints, eventually sending him abroad.
  • Margaret and Townsend's relationship ended in 1955, with Margaret releasing a statement announcing the breakup.

33:35

Princess Margaret: Royal Duties and Personal Life

  • Princess Margaret took on royal duties that allowed Queen Elizabeth to focus on other tasks, becoming a glamorous figure known for smoking in public and performing glamorous duties like opening hospitals and christening ships.
  • In 1957, Margaret became president of the Royal Ballet, reflecting her lifelong passion for theater and the arts, while also being unmarried at nearly 30 years old.
  • Margaret surprised many by announcing her engagement to Antony Armstrong-Jones, a photographer from a wealthy background, in 1960, leading to a secret relationship and a televised royal wedding.
  • Despite initial excitement, Margaret's marriage soon faced challenges due to mutual infidelity, drugs, and alcohol, with the press eagerly covering the breakdown.
  • As Queen Elizabeth guided the monarchy through changes, Margaret's role diminished, and her health declined from the late 1980s, leading to her death in 2002 at the age of 71.
  • Princess Margaret, though flawed, was seen as a supportive member of the royal family who helped modernize the monarchy, paving the way for future royals to lead more normal lives in the public eye.
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