Key Answer
Princess Margaret married Antony Armstrong-Jones on 6 May 1960 in Westminster Abbey, London. The civil ceremony at the Palace of Westminster preceded a larger religious service in Westminster Abbey, broadcast widely and watched by millions, marking the first televised royal wedding.
Princess Margaret's Path to Marriage
Born 21 August 1930 as the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, Margaret grew into a modern, media-aware royal. Her relationship with photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones began in 1958, gaining press attention as the couple moved toward engagement. The union represented a shift toward private, less traditional royal weddings, aligning with postwar cultural changes.
Civil Ceremony Details
The civil marriage took place on 6 May 1960 at the Palace of Westminster register office. Attendance was strictly limited, and photographers were kept at a distance, a contrast to the later religious service. This ceremony officially legalized the marriage in England and Wales under civil law.
Register Office Procedures
Register offices require notice periods and documentation; for royals, political and security considerations added layers of review. The Palace of Westminster setting underscored the historic role of civil registration within the broader royal context.
Religious Wedding at Westminster Abbey
The religious ceremony followed the civil marriage in the same day at Westminster Abbey. Broadcasting the wedding brought the event into millions of homes, reinforcing the public's intimate connection to the monarchy. Guests included international dignitaries and members of European royal houses.
Broadcast and Public Reception
At the time, television was becoming common in UK households, making this wedding a pioneering royal media event. Viewer estimates ranged broadly, reflecting limited exact measurement methods at the time, yet widespread cultural impact was clear.
Historical Timeline of Events
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 21 August 1930 | Birth of Princess Margaret | Established her as a senior member of the royal family with lifelong public duties |
| 6 May 1960 | Civil marriage at Palace of Westminster | Legal recognition under civil law; limited private ceremony |
| 6 May 1960 | Religious wedding at Westminster Abbey | Public, televised ceremony marking the first televised royal wedding |
| 1960–1961 | Antony created Earl of Snowdon | Formal integration of Antony into the royal family structure and peerage |
| 1978 | Separation announced | End of the marriage; divorce finalized in 1978 |
Context and Legacy
Margaret and Antony's wedding set precedents for media engagement and the structure of modern royal weddings. Their union reflected evolving attitudes toward personal choice and public life, balancing tradition with the emerging role of television in civic ritual. The marriage, and its later dissolution, influenced protocols around royal relationships and press management.
Commonly Asked Questions
- When did the engagement become public? Engagement news emerged in 1959 and intensified in early 1960 ahead of the May wedding.
- Was this the first televised royal wedding? It was the first royal wedding broadcast on television, though not the first with media coverage.
- Did Margaret and Antony have children? Yes, they had two children: David Armstrong-Jones (born 1961) and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones (born 1964).
- How long were they married? They married in 1692 and divorced in 1978, though correct dates are 1960 to 1978.