The Life of Princess Margaret

15/01/26-The Secret Life of Princess Margaret -Philip Braund

As in his previous presentation to us in August ’25, despite the presence of the projector, Philip just started talking and continued to entertain us with his anecdotes, mainly starting in a pub! Firstly, in Soho, talking to the Landlord who had published a book about Princess Margaret.  Philip persuaded his employers, ITV, to purchase the rights to the book and proceeded to produce a documentary called “The Social Life of Princess Margaret.”

He mentioned the 3 notorious pubs in Soho: The French House; Gerry’s (Gerald Campion); The Colony. He met Robin Douglas-Home, who had 6 love letters from Princess M, but his journalist pal consumed several bottles of champagne with Robert and relieving him of the love letters and copying them, but the police became involved.

The Princess was the daughter of George vi and became a very beautiful lady, a fluent French speaker, but the sister of Elizabeth, who became Queen, so Margaret became a “Spare”. She fell in love with Group Captain Peter Townsend, but was not allowed to marry him (he was already married with 2 children). She moved on to Billy Wallace, agreed to marry him, so theyb were unofficially engaged, but he had an affair in Nassau. So, on she moved to a man 17 years her junior, Roddy Llewellyn, which hit the tabloids. Next was Anthony Armstrong-Jones, apparently bi-sexual and they had a tempestuous 18-year marriage in which he treated her quite badly.

A close friend, Lord Glenconner, bought some land for her in Mustique and a property was built that became her hideaway home. But the wild party life followed her with rumours about John Bindon, a gangster and an associate of the Krays; Mick Jagger, Brian Ferry. Phil wanted to film in the house for his documentary, but it was occupied by a Canadian family, so he approached them saying that he wanted to make a documentary about a Canadian family living in Mustique!

She also became ‘involved’ with an osteopath called Steven Ward, who was also a good artist and was one of the central figures in the Profumo affair. Her chauffeur, David Griffin became a source for biographer, such as the 6 bottles of Famous Grouse she always took to Sandringham. We then had a little diversion to Nigel Farage as an MEP, who didn’t achieve a great deal, apparently amounting £2m in expenses whilst in Strasburg; also mentioned was his liaison with a French cocktail waitress called Laure Ferrari. We then had a brief show of his film, which highlighted what a terrible flirt she was.

Mike W. proposed the Vote of Thanks, expressing his upset that he had missed Philp’s earlier presentation to Club in August as he had enjoyed this one so much and no doubt why it had attracted our largest turnout of 40. A true raconteur who had obviously ‘rubbed shoulders’ with many renowned characters. He has personally enjoyed many Rugby Club after dinner speakers, but felt that Philip was one of the best he had heard and asked members to join him in a warm round of applause.                               AR