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Princess Margaret

Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, was a British royal and the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, was a British royal and the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II. She was the second daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother), and she became known for her public profile, style, and high-profile marriage. She died in 2002 at age 71.

Early life

Princess Margaret was born at Glamis Castle in Scotland in 1930 as Margaret Rose, the second daughter of the future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. She grew up in the British royal family as the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II.

Marriage and family

In 1960, she married Antony Armstrong-Jones, later Earl of Snowdon. The couple had two children, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1978.

Public life

Princess Margaret was a prominent royal figure in postwar Britain and was widely covered for her style, social life, and public engagements. She also supported charitable and cultural causes.

Death and legacy

Princess Margaret died in London on 9 February 2002 at the age of 71. Sources report that her death followed a stroke, after years of declining health and earlier strokes.

Key facts

  • She was the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
  • She was the only sibling of Queen Elizabeth II.
  • She married photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960.
  • She had two children, David Armstrong-Jones and Lady Sarah Chatto.
  • Her marriage ended in divorce in 1978.
  • She died in 2002 at age 71 after suffering a stroke.
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Canadian context

Princess Margaret had no direct Canadian public office, but she was part of the wider Commonwealth royal family and was known to Canadian audiences through royal tours, media coverage, and her role as a senior member of the House of Windsor.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Princess Margaret?
Princess Margaret was a British royal, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, and the second daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
How old was Princess Margaret when she died?
She was 71 years old when she died on 9 February 2002.
What happened to Princess Margaret?
She suffered declining health in later years and died in London after a stroke.
Was Princess Margaret married?
Yes. She married Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960, and the marriage ended in divorce in 1978.
Did Princess Margaret have children?
Yes. She had two children: David Armstrong-Jones and Lady Sarah Chatto.
What was Princess Margaret's cause of death?
Her death was caused by a stroke, following a period of worsening health and earlier strokes.

References

  1. The Royal Family — https://www.royal.uk/encyclopedia/princess-margaret
    Supports: Identity, parentage, birth and death dates, cremation and burial details
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Princess-Margaret
    Supports: Biographical overview, birth and death dates, family relationship to Queen Elizabeth II
  3. National Portrait Gallery — https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp02952/princess-margaret
    Supports: Marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones, two children, divorce, public role
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Margaret,_Countess_of_Snowdon
    Supports: Later-life health decline, strokes, and reported cause of death