The Queen's "Rebel Sister"

By Stuart Wolf - Jun 5, 2025

This article appeared in friendlypop.com and has been published here with permission.

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Growing up in her sister’s shadow, Princess Margaret became a party girl and the black sheep of the royal family. Famed for her sharp tongue, her sister forbade her from marrying the man she loved. Instead, she married a serial cheater who destroyed her. She had affairs, became known as The X-Rated Queen of Mustique, and smoked and drank her life away. This is the tragic story of The Queen’s rebel sister, Princess Margaret.

She Was Born in Scotland

Princess Margaret Rose Windsor was born on August 21st, 1930, at Glamis Castle. She was the first royal born in Scotland for 300 years. Her parents were the Duke and Duchess of York, and her grandparents were King George V and Queen Consort Mary of Teck, who Margaret always looked down on as she was a lower-rank princess!

A Tale of Two Sisters (2015) // 3DD Productions

Margaret was fourth in line to the throne, after her uncle, father, and elder sister, Princess Elizabeth. Then, on January 20th, 1936, their grandfather passed away.

Edward VII Abdicates

George V’s eldest son, and the girls’ uncle, became King Edward VII. But the controversial prince was in love with twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson. The Church of England forbade kings from marrying divorcées.

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It was a major scandal, but eventually, after lots of wrangling to avert a constitutional crisis, King Edward VIII followed his heart and abdicated his throne for love. Edward married Wallis Simpson in 1937, and they lived out their days in exile in France as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

Margaret Rebels

The royal line skipped to Edward VIII’s brother. In December 1936, the princesses’ father became King George VI (pictured), while their mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, became Queen Consort. Shy 10-year-old Princess Elizabeth and confident six-year-old Princess Margaret suddenly found themselves first and second in line.

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And that’s when Margaret started acting out. It all began when the king let Margo stay up past her bedtime to attend lavish royal dinners. Author and loyal friend Gore Vidal always said, "She was far too intelligent for her station in life."

Elizabeth and Margaret Came to Blows

Their father said Elizabeth was his “pride,” while spoiled brat Margaret was his “joy." Their Scottish governess, Marion Crawford, said the sisters were close despite Elizabeth being prim and proper and Margaret lively and extroverted.

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The girls had a healthy sibling rivalry, and Crawford said Lilibet was “quick with her left hook. Margo was more of a close-in fighter, known to bite.” Margaret was “full of character” and “very sure of herself,” and “might get into trouble before she’s finished.” They weren’t wrong!