Princess Margaret Tricked Into Separating From Peter Townsend During Zimbabwe Tour

Princess Margaret experienced a major heartbreak several years ago when she was forcefully separated from Peter Townsend.

The Queen Mother and her youngest daughter flew to Zimbabwe for their royal tour and was given a very packed schedule. While there, Princess Margaret was told that the members of the royal family urged for Townsend to be sent to a diplomat’s post in Brussels for two years.

Princess Margaret, who was shocked by the news, could no longer do anything about it. She was given a punishing schedule that consisted of 54 engagements in just 16 days. At one point, she reportedly refused to leave her room and stayed there for four days because she was too sad.

“The Queen Mother broke the news to Margaret that when she returned home in a few days times, Townsend would no longer be there,” the narrator said in the documentary “Princess Margaret: Her Real Life Story.”

After the trip, Princess Margaret returned to London where she received wide and deep support from royal fans. They were convinced that Queen Elizabeth II’s younger sister had been shabbily treated by a stuffy and heartless establishment that was hopelessly out of touch.

A poll at that time also showed overwhelming support for Princess Margaret to be allowed to marry that man she loved. However, the royal family was opposed to this because Townsend was divorced.

At the end of the day, Princess Margaret decided to stay true to her royal duty and end her relationship with Townsend. She released a statement announcing that she and Townsend have decided not to tie the knot.

“I would like it to be known that I have decided not to marry Group Capt. Peter Townsend. Mindful of the church’s teaching that Christian marriage is indissoluble and conscious of my duty to the Commonwealth, I have resolved to put these considerations before any others,” the statement read.

In his autobiography from 1978, Townsend said that Princess Margaret could have married him if only she was ready to give up everything she had.