Princess who was happy to lark around with Inspector Clouseau
Princess Margaret was fooling no one when she visited a south London council estate in the Fifties and said: ‘i am delighted to be here in camberwell and opening this splendid block of flats.’
As we learned from her friends in Princess Margaret: The Rebel Royal (BBc2) she was nothing if not a crushing snob with little time for boring engagements.
The success of netflix series The crown has led to a new wave of interest in the Queen’s younger sister. in the first of this two-part documentary series, the question posed was whether Margaret was misunderstood and if her turbulent life reflected the social revolution happening at the time?
Despite being born into great privilege, Margaret always believed that she received a second-rate education compared with her sister. Perhaps as a rebellious response to her perceived slight, Margaret’s behaviour was decidedly less regal than elizabeth’s.
At 16, she allowed herself to become bewitched by Peter Townsend, an older married man she eventually renounced.
As a gregarious beauty, Margaret had no shortage of suitors to take his place. As her friend and former lady-in-waiting Lady Anne Glenconner said: ‘There was lots of flirting and a bit of snogging, but we didn’t sleep with them. We were far too scared.’
Lady Anne recalled how Margaret would become furious when any of her girlfriends became engaged to one of the upper-class gents who would squire her around town.
indeed, Margaret had a face like thunder at the wedding of Lady Anne to colin Tennant, one of the Princess’s favourite escorts.
But it was at the wedding that she met Antony Armstrong-Jones, who went on to become the first non-aristocrat to marry into the royal Family in 400 years. And a ‘tradesman’ at that.
Margaret’s husband introduced her to the bohemian lifestyle and she started to mix with the arty and showbusiness set. Home movie footage from 1964 showed Margaret larking around in an improvised comedy sketch with inspector clouseau star Peter sellers.
impossibly glamorous (as a young woman she was proud of her 21inch waist) Margaret was a fascinating and complicated woman. it was a treat to hear the insights of those who knew her best, although the programme makers’ desire to push her as a feminist trailblazer was a little ambitious.
Blazing a trail in the tent of The Great British Bake Off (c4) was research scientist rahul who, for the second week running, was named star Baker.
rahul visibly shakes with fear before any challenge. ‘i just feel so scared all the time,’ he said last night, constantly apologising for what he believed to be his sub-standard work.
Last night’s show featured Bread Week. ‘it’s all about the dough,’ said Paul Hollywood referring to the ingredients and not the £10million he’s netted himself. When it came to the showstopper, they had five hours to make their three-tier ‘Korovai’ — a highly decorated eastern europe celebration bread.
rahul’s creation — inspired by a traditional British summer wedding — was a thing of beauty. ‘You’re a little genius,’ said Paul.
Bake Off is about so much more than making cakes. This year, Briony has impressed the judges several times and all without once mentioning her disability.
so, if being praised for his baking gives rahul the confidence to see how talented he is, it will give viewers a far warmer glow than any freshly baked loaf.
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