Princess Margaret's hilariously ruthless response to being told her husband was divorcing her

Princess Margaret's reaction to being told she was getting a divorce was hilarious

Princess Margaret's divorce
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Princess Margaret had a hilariously ruthless reply when she was told that Anthony Armstrong-Jones was divorcing her. 


Despite being married for 18 years, Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong-Jones had been separated for several years before they officially divorced. 

Having begun a new romantic relationship with gardener Roddy Llewellyn, who was 17 years younger than her, Princess Margaret confirmed the news that she and the Earl of Snowdon had separated in March of 1976. 

A statement shared by Buckingham Palace at the time said, "HRH The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, and the Earl of Snowdon have mutually agreed to live apart. The Princess will carry out her public duties and functions unaccompanied by Lord Snowdon. There are no plans for divorce proceedings."

Princess Margaret's divorce

(Image credit: Getty Images)

However, when her husband called for the marriage to end entirely in 1978, Princess Margaret was told the news by her private secretary, Lord Nigel Napier, and she had a rather great response. 

After Lord Napier shared the update with Princess Margaret, she reportedly replied, "Thank you, Nigel. I think that’s the best news you’ve ever given me."

Princess Margaret's divorce

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Princess Margaret, who passed away in 2002 aged 71, was known for her fabulous character and lavish lifestyle, reportedly signing checks with just her first name when she went on Harrods trips and beauty salon appointments in her limousine.

Queen Elizabeth II's younger sister is also said to have had quite the morning routine, involving lots of lying in bed and plenty of cigarettes. 

According to royal biography Ma'am Darling by Craig Brown, Princess Margaret's mornings were particularly decadent and relaxed. 

Princess Margaret's divorce

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The book says that Princess Margaret would wake at around 9am for "breakfast in bed, followed by two hours in bed listening to the radio, reading the newspapers (which she invariably left scattered over the floor) and chain-smoking."

At around 11am, Margaret would soak in a bath drawn by one of her maids before making herself look glamorous.

"An hour in the bath [would be] followed by hair and make-up at her dressing table, [putting] on some clean clothes - as one would imagine of a princess, she never wore any of her clothes more than once without having them cleaned," the book continues.

Caitlin Elliott
News Editor

Caitlin is News Editor for woman&home, covering all things royal, celeb, fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Caitlin started on local papers and titles such as Cosmopolitan, Now, Reveal and Take a Break while studying for her Multimedia Journalism degree. She also worked in Fashion PR as a Press Assistant for Arcadia's Topshop before becoming a part of the Now team. Caitlin went on to add the likes of Woman, GoodtoKnow, WhatToWatch and woman&home to her writing repertoire before moving on to her current role.