Rumors of a secret affair began at the Queen's coronation in 1953 when a reporter noticed the princess flick a piece of fluff off Townsend’s jacket. He last met Margaret in 1993 when she invited him … The romance between the young Princess and Group Captain Townsend, a shy, handsome hero from the Battle of Britain who worked as the Queen's equerry, captured the public's imagination. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Why Princess Margaret put an end to her controversial relationship. Princess Margaret, 64, who is believed to have always considered Group Captain Townsend the great love of her life, was said by a spokesman at Buckingham Palace to be "sad" at the news of his death. Known as Lord Snowdon post-marriage, he was the first “commoner” to marry into the royal family in over 400 years. Explore {{searchView.params.phrase}} by color family {{familyColorButtonText(colorFamily.name)}} 6. It was a painful chapter in the royal’s tempestuous love life, which dominated the tabloid media at the time. The wedding of Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong-Jones (later Earl of Snowdon) was the first royal wedding to be broadcast on television. Princess Margaret passed away in 2002, age 71. Peter Townsend , Marie Luce Jamagne The engagement has been officially announced between GROUP CAPTAIN IN PETER TOWNSEND former suitor of Princess Margaret and 20-year-old MARIE LUCE JAMAGNE, daughter of a Belgian cigarette manufacturer. Accompanying Margaret to Belfast, Northern Ireland, in October of that year, paperwork relating to the visit, at which Margaret christened her first ship, shows that Townsend had asked for his room at Hillsborough Castle to be moved next door to Margaret’s room. You'll get the latest updates on this topic in your browser notifications. Peter Townsend was born on November 22, 1914 in Rangoon, Burma, British India as Peter Wooldridge Townsend. Find out about Marie Luce Townsend's family tree, family history, ancestry, ancestors, genealogy, relationships and affairs! Married 15 October 1959 (Thursday) to "Peter" Wooldridge TOWNSEND, officier britannique de la Royal Air Force-leader of No. While Townsend had divorced his wife in 1952, the Church of England’s then-strict rules about remarriage after divorce forced Margaret’s hand. ... Meghan and Harry are now US based. "I would like it to be known that I have decided not to marry Group Capt. 1959-10-12 Antwerp, Belgium Photo size: Coyote Ugly Turns 20: Where Is the Cast Now? ", The statement went on: "I have reached this decision entirely alone, and in doing so I have been strengthened by the unfailing support and devotion of Group Captain Townsend. Marie-Luce Jamagne is an actress, known for Merci Natercia! Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! ... Townsend remarried a Belgian woman, Marie-Luce Jamagne, in 1959. He was 80 years old and had been ill for some time. "I simply hadn't the weight, I knew it, to counterbalance all she would have lost.". Marie-Luce Jamagne: Merci Natercia!. Mark Phillips. "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. Peter Townsend Dies at 80; Princess Margaret's Love, https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/21/obituaries/peter-townsend-dies-at-80-princess-margaret-s-love.html. Coyote Ugly Turns 20: Where Is the Cast Now? Although she had turned 25 that August, she still needed the Parliament’s approval and they had already made it clear they would not offer her consent. Close Login. Her niece, Anne, married and then divorced Capt. At that time, the Princess was third in line for the throne, after the Queen's two children at the time, Charles and Anne. Peter Townsend, the divorced war hero forced 40 years ago by the royal family and the British Government to end his love affair with Princess Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth II, died in Paris on Monday night, the British Embassy said. He is known for his work on L'invité du dimanche (1968), Panorama (1953) and This Week (1956). "In my opinion, this was the turning point to disaster for the royal family," said Harold Brooks-Baker, publishing director of Burke's Peerage. Now, in his letter, Townsend told her that he was about to announce his engagement to a Belgian woman, Marie-Luce Jamagne. Joe Biden. 605 Squadron RAF 1914-1995 with; Group Capt. 1945). The Queen sent a private message of condolence to Group Captain Townsend's widow, Marie Luce, the palace said. Princess Margaret's marriage to Lord Snowdon ended in divorce. Magazines & More. “We rose together every morning in that wonderful country, in marvelous weather,” the princess reportedly said, adding, “That’s when I really fell in love with him.”. After the war, he worked in a variety of jobs in the households of Princess Margaret's father, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth II. The happily engaged couple together in Luce's family garden of her home near Antwerp. After her brilliant career as a model, Isabelle became an actress and has numerous films to her credit including Barton Fink and Pollock. your own Pins on Their mutual fondness became public at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953, when photographs showed the group captain and the Princess beaming at each other and laughing. But though Group Captain Townsend was dashing and distinguished, he was also divorced, making him anathema to a royal family, and a government, still reeling from Edward VIII's abdication in 1936 to marry an American, Wallis Simpson, who was divorced. Queen Elizabeth’s sister announced on October 31, 1955, that her engagement to Captain Peter Townsend was no more. His news really upset the princess because it broke a secret pact that neither would marry anyone else. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. "After Princess Margaret was denied marriage, it backfired and more or less ruined Margaret's life. The glamorous couple, a fixture on the social scene for many years, had two children but divorced in 1978. Oscars Best Picture Winners Best Picture Winners Golden Globes Emmys STARmeter Awards San Diego Comic-Con New York Comic-Con Sundance Film Festival Toronto Int'l Film Festival Awards Central Festival Central All Events On 17 July 1941, Townsend married (Cecil) Rosemary Pawle (1921–2004). The next year, Princess Margaret married the society photographer Anthony Armstrong-Jones, later Lord Snowdon, with whom she had two children. The next year, on May 6, 1960, Princess Margaret married Mr. Armstrong-Jones, … In 1959, Group Captain Townsend married Marie Luce Jamagne, a Belgian woman said to bear a strong resemblance to Princess Margaret. The Queen decided that from then on, anyone someone in her family wanted to marry would be more or less acceptable. Princess Margaret on her wedding day in 1960. Learn More. FUNERAL OF PETER TOWNSEND IN ST LEGER-EN-YVELINES Peter Townsend et sa femme Marie-Luce Jamagne lors d'une soirée à Paris dans les années 1960, France. Under the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, the Princess required the Queen’s permission to marry before the age of 25. C/U dog, on Marie Luce's hand is large ring. Now, in his letter, Townsend told her that he was about to announce his engagement to a Belgian woman, Marie-Luce Jamagne. When Princess Margaret turned 25 and was no longer bound to do what her sister told her, it was widely expected that she and Group Captain Townsend would announce their engagement. He was married to Marie-Luce If you would like to opt out of browser push notifications, please refer to the following instructions specific to your device and browser: Brokenhearted Princess Margaret Canceled Her Wedding to Captain Peter Townsend 65 Years Ago Today. In later years, Group Captain Townsend had a varied career as a wine buyer, a United Nations adviser and the author of six books. He sold his war medals for $35,200 and set up a fund for children who have suffered in war. Can’t get enough of PEOPLE‘s Royals coverage? See the article in its original context from. Jan 27, 2018 - This Pin was discovered by Stephanie Jordan-Price. Get push notifications with news, features and more. He has known Marie-Luce since she was 14. I am deeply grateful for the concern of all those who have constantly prayed for my happiness. In a statement read on BBC radio, Margaret said: “I have been aware that, subject to my renouncing my rights of succession, it might have been possible for me to contract a civil marriage. The younger son married Yolande, Princess of Ligne, daughter of Antoine, 13th Prince of Ligne and Alix, Princess of Ligne (née Princess Alix of Luxembourg). In a 2017 biography, Ma’am Darling: 99 Glimpses of Princess Margaret, author Colin Brown claimed that Townsend and Margaret were seeing each other as early as 1947, when Margaret was just 17 years old. He wed a Belgian woman, Marie-Luce Jamagne, who was 20 at the time. He shot down 11 enemy planes and won the Distinguished Service Order and two Distinguished Flying Crosses for gallantry. ... Marie Luce Townsend's father is Franz Jamagne Marie Luce Townsend's mother is Marie Jamagne. Find out about Group Captain Peter Townsend & Marie Luce Townsend Married, children, joint family tree & history, ancestors and ancestry. In 1959 the group captain married Marie Luce Jamagne, a 20-year-old Belgian. (Trooping the Colour and Her Actual Day of Birth!). Related: Princess Margaret's Lady-in-Waiting Lady Glenconner Opens Up: 'We Would Roar With Laughter'. Right here at FameChain. Group Captain Peter Townsend and his fiancee Marie Luce Jamagne. This fun and decorative handmade metal sign will look great in your home, office or garage! ", Group Captain Townsend moved to Belgium, finally settling in France. ... Marie Luce Townsend's father is Franz (1960). Instead, having been informed that marriage would mean having to give up her royal rights and income and leave England for at least five years, she issued a statement, written in pencil for her by Group Captain Townsend, announcing that the relationship was over. This is a digitized version of an article from The Times’s print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. He lived for many years in St.-Leger-en-Yvelines outside Paris, and is survived by his wife and four children. RELATED: Why Does Queen Elizabeth Have Two Birthdays? TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. In 1959, Group Captain Townsend married Marie Luce Jamagne, a Belgian woman said to bear a strong resemblance to Princess Margaret. C/U Marie Luce holding small dog as she stands beside Townsend. 1959-10-11 Photo size: Pawle married, secondly, John de László (son of the painter Philip de László), and thirdly, in 1978, the 5th Marquess Camden. Discover (and save!) Marie-Luce Jamagne et son mari Peter Townsend en 1959; 1 file available 1 file available Spouses and children. Marie Luce Jamagne : Licence, download and use stock photos with IMAGO Townsend moved to France and married Belgian heiress Marie-Luce Jamagne, 25 years his junior. His ex-wife is still living (there are two sons: Giles 17 and Hugo 14) and the Catholic religion does not recognise divorce. Peter Wooldridge Townsend was born in England in 1914, the son of a lieutenant colonel, and distinguished himself as a pilot in the Royal Air Force before he was 30. Peter Townsend," the statement said. Now that season 4 of The Crown on Netflix has wrapped up faster than you can say Megxit, let’s take a sec to appreciate the cast compared to … Group Captain Peter Townsend and his fiancee Marie Luce Jamagne. Captain Townsend, on the other hand, remarried when he was 44 in 1959. Browse 7 marie luce jamagne stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Townsend, equerry to the King and after George VI’s death in 1952, Controller of the Queen’s Mother’s household, spent much time with a teenage Margaret despite being twice her age and married with two children. He rarely spoke publicy of his relationship with Princess Margaret, but did refer to it in his 1978 autobiography, "Time and Chance. ", Mr. Brooks-Baker said that Princess Margaret and Group Captain Townsend corresponded from time to time but did not see each other until three years ago, when they met by chance at an official function. Peter Woolridge Townsend, air force officer, courtier, diplomat, writer: born Rangoon 22 November 1914; DFC and bar 1940; DSO 1941; Equerry to King George VI … Townsend's wife, Marie-Luce Jamagne, bore an uncanny resemblance to the princess. While Townsend died in 1995, age 80. Right here at FameChain. Following the end of their engagement in 1955, Peter went on to marry Marie-Luce Jamagne in 1959 and in May, 1960, Margaret married the society photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones. Guests there said the two sat together on a sofa and "chatted like the old friends they were.". Auch Townsend findet ein neues Glück: 1959 heiratet er die Belgierin Marie-Luce Jamagne. But, 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.”. After Queen Elizabeth forced them to break it off he was posted to Brussels in exile where he met Isabelle’s mother Marie-Luce Jamagne whom he married. ", "She could have married me only if she had been prepared to give up everything -- her position, her prestige, her privy purse," he wrote. FameChain has their amazing trees. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Engineer Creates App To Translate Your Cat, Find out what your cat is trying to tell you with a new cat app, The Sweetest Photos of Princes Harry with Diana, Princess Diana died when Harry was just 12 years old, Sean Connery's Cause of Death Revealed Weeks After He Dies at Age 90. When Margaret and Townsend met again 37 years after their split, he was happily married to Belgian Marie-Luce Jamagne (with whom he lived in … The R.A.F. Princess Margaret gave up love for the Crown on this day, 65 years ago. Introducing ... PEOPLE's Products Worth the Hype, claimed that Townsend and Margaret were seeing each other as early as 1947. And two of Queen Elizabeth's sons, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, have separated from their wives, the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of York. The royal family and the public now … rank group captain is equivalent to colonel. Marie Luce Townsend - the National Opera of Paris and the Arop pay a tribute to Serge Lifar with a representation at the Garnier palace. Text us for exclusive photos and videos, royal news, and way more. After their breakup, Townsend met and married a Belgian tobacco heiress named Marie-Luce Jamagne, who at 20 was 24 years younger than him and was said to look a lot like Margaret. Share options. She reportedly accepted his proposal a day after learning from Townsend that he intended to marry a young Belgian woman, Marie-Luce Jamagne, who was half his age and greatly resembled Margaret. The village priest at Braaschaat has said the couple cannot marry in … The next year both were at a lunch at Kensington Palace attended by several other people. PEOPLE.com. C/U Marie Luce. She is Roman Catholic, he Protestant and divorced. G/V large country house in the estate of the Jamagne family, in Brasschaet near Antwerp. In fact, the relationship had likely been going on for several years prior. [93] [85] Margaret's announcement of her engagement, on 26 February 1960, surprised the press, as she had concealed the romance from reporters. They had two sons, Giles (1942–2015) and Hugo (b. L/S press photographers crowding round Townsend and his young fiancé Marie Luce Jamagne (Marie-Luce Jamagne). Townsend and Pawle divorced in 1952. Earlier that year he had accompanied the royal family on their three-month royal tour to South Africa, where his official job was to look after the Queen’s 16-year-old sister. The royal family and the public now feel that they've gone too far in the other direction. Following the end of their engagement in 1955, Peter went on to marry Marie-Luce Jamagne in 1959 and in May, 1960, Margaret married the …