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A socialite group of aristocrats and celebrities centred around Princess Margaret. Glamourous, affluent and occasionally controversial, they received abundant media coverage of their activities in post-war high society and on the entertainment scene in Britain in the late 1940s and 1950s.[1][2]

Notables

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  • Princess Margaret — At a time when the lives of the nobility were much publicised,[3] the younger sister of Elizabeth II, born in 1930, was considered especially newsworthy for her high-spirits, sophistication, fashion sense and for being escorted by wealthy companions to extravagant locations[1] Later slightly acknowledged to being prone to temperamental behaviour, this didn't diminish her appeal[4]
  • Sharman Douglas —  An American debutante who moved to in London in May 1947 following her father's appointment as US Ambassador to the UK.[5] She was soon on the social scene and became a close friend of Margaret, their escapades being reported both sides of the Atlantic.[6] The Douglases returned to the US in 1950,[5] but Sharman returned to Britain for extended visits, either while working or on holiday.[7]
  • Lord John Spencer Churchill Marquess of Blandford — The heir to the Duke of Marlborough and a childhood friend, also known by his nickname Sunny (derived from his title the Earl of Sunderland).[8] He was one of the earliest characters followed as part of the group and contemporaneously regarded as her first boyfriend.[3] Friends maintained he was the set member she would have liked to have married.[9] He was also the first to get married,[3] after which the family seat of Blenheim Palace continued to provide venues for weekend parties and occasional fashion shows. His sister Rosemary Spencer Churchill was also part of the set.[10]
  • Lord John Montagu Douglas Scott, Earl of Dalkeith — aka John Scott, and by his title Dalkeith. The heir to the Duke of Buccleuch, he was a childhood friend and related by marriage. The Buccleuch homes Drumlanrig Castle[11] and Broughton were favourite destinations for set gatherings.[12] He preferred country pursuits over city nightlife.[13]
  • Lady Caroline Montagu Douglas Scott aka Caroline Scott, Dalkeith's sister — As children, she and Margaret took dancing lessons together and attended the joint family wedding of Scott's aunt Lady Alice to Margaret's uncle Henry of Gloucester.[14] Margaret complained about the focus on male companions, saying, "The papers seldom dwell on my girl friends, like Caroline, Rachel (Brand) and Laura (Smith). I spend far more time in their company than with anyone else".[15]
  • Mark Bonham Carter — After escaping from an Italian WorId War II POW camp in 1943, Grenadier Guards officer Bonham Carter was rewarded with an invitation to a Windsor Castle Gala night, where he danced with Princess Margaret ("full of character, very tart in her criticisms"). In 1944 he was assigned to the Guards garrison at the Castle for a year. Duties included breakfasting with the princesses each morning.[16] He became friends with the royal family, and from 1945 was invited back for holidays.[17] From then on, he appeared with them at events ranging from pheasant shoots on remote Scottish estates to Covent Garden ballets and night clubs[11]. His niece said he and Margaret had a "pre-Townsend" relationship, and she had photos where they looked "dashing as a couple".[18]
  • The Hon. Colin Tennant — Heir to the Baron Glenconner, who met Margaret in 1946, at a party for the daughter of the Earl of Cavan, his regimental colonel in the Irish Guards, and soon joined her on the London party circuit.[9] Their friendship deepened in 1954, coinciding with short-lived rumours they would marry.[9] In 1954 he appeared with Margaret's friend Lady Anne Coke at a fancy dress ball.[19] They married 1956, and purchased island the island of Mustique, which would become Margaret's favourite holiday destination.[20]
  • Billy Wallace — A childhood friend from a wealthy family, he was first noticed dancing with the set at the Ritz in 1948. An early boyfriend of Margaret, he was one of the most frequently seen members of the set at theatres and nightclubs. He hosted house parties during Goodwood races and played polo against the Duke of Edinburgh.[21]
  • The Hon. Dominic Elliott — Son of the Earl of Minto. He first came into the spotlight during the mid-1950s, from which time he was often seen in the royal circle. He became a long-time friend, more famed for a second time around romance with Margaret in early 1970s and as a regular visitor to the island of Mustique.[13][22]
  • Judy Montagu — Quickly became a prominent set member when she came to public notice in 1954, while producing The Frog play. She was a highly regarded organiser, party host[7][23] and sometime tv panel show guest. She moved to permanently to Rome in 1958 where she organised events for a royal visit.[24] She was widely believed to be the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Dudley.[25]
  • The Hon. Peter Ward — Son of the Earl of Dudley. He was often seen with childhood friend Billy Wallace and possible half-sister Judy Montagu[23][26][25] He received most attention and an engagement rumour in 1949, when he and Douglas threw a set party. This was alongside noting the party was given as a Welcome Home for Wallace and that Margaret never visited Ward's home[27] His brother Lord Ednam was also sometimes part of the set.[28]
  • The Hon. Laura Smith — Descendant of the founder of retailer W H Smith and daughter of the 3rd Viscount Hambleden who met Margaret during their teens.[29] Margaret was also sometimes joined on the party circuit and for weekends at the Viscount's Manorhouse by younger sister Kate[30] and older brother Harry,[31] who became the 4th Lord Hambleden aged 17, when their father died. Smith was particularly supportive during the aftermath of Margaret's own father's death, accompanying her twice a week to Lenten Lectures.[32]
  • Prince Nikola of Yugoslavia — Nephew of the Duchess of Kent. He spent much time with Margaret in the months before and after the death of George VI in 1952, including a visit to Paris in 1951.[33] This led to romance rumours and criticism over the appropriateness of the relationship owing to his father, Prince Paul.[34] He had a traitorous reputation in his home country due to the pact he made with Germany during World War II, while he was regent. Nicholas joined the cast of The Frog, later left, and died aged 25 when his car overturned on his way to meet with them at a dress rehearsal in 1954.[35]
  • Tom Egerton — Racehorse breeder who was seen with the set from the late 1940s, mainly in the background at balls and parties and more prominently at race meetings. There was intensive interest in him as Margaret's "newest friend", in February 1949, when she went to stay at his home.[36][37]
  • Others — At various times, the set included childhood and teenage friends Lady Caroline Thynne,[10] Rachel Brand,[15] Julian Fane,[10] Robin McEwen,[11] David Ogilvy[38] and Reverend Simon Phipps. Also Palace staff members Lord Porchester,[39] Lord Plunkett, lady in waiting Jennifer Bevan[10] who married John Lowther[38] and was replaced by Iris Peake. David Milford Haven squired Margaret and Sharman Douglas to dances before his engagement.[40] Lord Wilton hosted house parties with Judy Montagu.[7]

Celebrity Associations. The set were sometimes joined by well-known characters from entertainment, politics and journalism.

  • Ludovic Kennedy — In July 1947, future renowned investigative journalist Kennedy, then at Oxford University, went to dances with the princesses at the Edinburgh Assembly Rooms and Holyrood Palace during the royal family's residence. Shortly after he was invited to stay at Balmoral but being "assailed by feelings of inadequacy" he made an excuse and declined to go.[41]  A few years later, he and wife Moira Shearer got to know the set, primarily due to their friendship with Dalkeith and attendance at his country gatherings.
  • Danny Kaye — In Feb 1948, several members of the royal family met Kaye backstage after his shows at the London Palladium. He became a royal favourite, being particularly friendly with Margaret and Sharman Douglas.[5] [42] He accepted an invitation to return to the UK to star in the Royal Command Performance and returned for royal premieres of his films and other events[7] while in Britain for several years. His laid-back nature occasionally caused a stir, such as when he was overheard addressing Margaret with "honey" instead of "ma'am", but it was noticed she merely "swallowed once or twice" and "limply" overlooked it.[43]
  • Eddie Fisher — In May 1953 Fisher performed at a coronation ball. He was transfixed by Margaret and delighted by the highborn company.[31] In 1957, a charity invited Margaret's oft cited favourite singer to perform at their Savoy ball that the set were attending. Beforehand, reports said Margaret was "very annoyed", because a Fisher representative had requested for him a personal invitation to the event be sent from her. At the ball, they glanced at each other from neighbouring tables without speaking.[44] Fisher was only invited to sing minutes after she left. Afterwards he denied authorising the request, but they appeared not to have spoken again. Later, Fisher's daughter and ex-wife said he told them of a brief affair he had with Margaret after the coronation ball in 1953.[45]

Others included Merle Oberon, David Niven,[39] Maureen Swanson,[28] Greta Garbo,[33] Hugh Fraser MP.[10]

Events

[edit]

In 1946, Princess Margaret went about as freely as her elder sister, Princess Elizabeth.[46] Newspapers relayed that she was rarely off the dance floor.[47] The tentative reporting about her partying fell away during the avid coverage surrounding Elizabeth's wedding in 1947. Stories included her friendship with Douglas, attendance at pre-wedding parties and the royals favourite nightclub of the time, Ciros.[39][40]

The regulars of "Clan Margaret" or "Margaret's set"[10][27] appeared in the late 1940s. They were only consistently referred to as "the Margaret set" around 1954. They were followed attending events in London's most luxurious hotels,[39] and at equestrian events such as Royal Ascot.[5] Nightclubs including The Milroy, the 21 Room and the 400 club became famed by set patronage.[10][27] Private house parties sometimes accompanied by celebrities featured in the gossip columns.[7][48] Margaret's at times risqué fashions and trend-setting were admired, especially her popularising of the Christian Dior "New Look". [49]

Eager attention was given to stays, often for weekends, at country homes for activities such as fox hunts and hunt balls.[50] By 1948, her arrival at these venues was receiving huge crowds of onlookers.[12] There were reports on any hunts attended and enthusiastic commentary from society magazines on the associating balls.[38][50] Sometimes crowds swamped the congregations when she attended the local church on Sundays.[12] By the turn of the decade, this level of interest had lessened, and she was able to go away for some of the weekends unnoticed by either press or public.[51]

In 1953, the set performed their charity play Lord and Lady Algy and attended coronation festivities.[31][52] Post coronation was dominated by coverage of Margaret's relationship with the Queen Mother's comptroller Peter Townsend, during which she left for an overseas tour. When she returned from the tour to partying with her usual enthusiasm and showing no ill-effects[48][53] the story faded away, with sections of the press concluding that the romance was over.[54]

In early 1954, the set began work on a more ambitious stage play, The Frog, featuring a large cast and Margaret in the role of associate director. The aristocrat performers such as Colin Tennant, who played The Frog, were joined by Douglas Fairbanks Jnr and American party hostess Elsa Maxwell who flew in to play a singer. [52][23] They staged three performances that June with a celebrity audience. Criticism was stinging,[55] but some subsequent charity endeavours and parties they held garnered more enthusiasm[7][30]

The Peter Townsend affair, which had been largely dormant, was back in the news in the spring of 1955.[56] He returned that autumn to discuss marriage with Margaret and they dined with Bonham Carter, Jennifer Lowther and Laura Brand (nee Smith) at their homes.[29] Violet Bonham Carter wrote of the intrusion as she was bombarded with telephone calls from national newspapers while reporters surrounded her son's house.[57]

Members activities in the absence of Margaret were sometimes followed. In 1956, while she was on a storm ridden tour of the Western Isles, Wallace, Montagu, Ward, Wilton and Claire Baring were reported taking a cruise around the Mediterranean.[26] In the late 1950s coverage waned as Margaret took on more overseas tours and set members married.[4]

Wedding predictions

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Aristocratic weddings, including those of the set, could attract thousands of spectators.[3] Much effort went into predicting the man Margaret would marry. This commenced with a series of brief rumours about King Michael of Romania, David Milford Haven, Lord Derby and Prince George of Denmark. All were involved with, or about to become engaged to someone else, or issued a denial.[58] Some predictions were more consistent. During 1948, her relationship with Blandford received attention.[8] It was anticipated that they would become engaged on her birthday, which was always spent at Balmoral.

Expectation of a birthday betrothal announcement became a recurring event, featuring Dalkeith in 1950[59] and mainly Wallace in 1951.[60] A slew of Dalkeith engagement reports occurred in January 1952. Meanwhile, Margaret's authorised biographer Godfrey Winn attempted to allay the various rumours.[27]

Four days after the coronation, a New York Daily News headline claiming Margaret "would marry" Peter Townsend[61] invoked much comment when after further probing of the story by American reporters in London, there was still blanket silence from the UK media.[62] It was eventually disclosed in Britain over a week later. Contemporary authors admitted there had been such talk in London for about a year prior, but it rarely got into print.[63]

In 1954, the press again descended on Balmoral in anticipation of a birthday engagement announcement to Tennant.[9] A clamour over whether she would marry Townsend occurred at the time of her 1955 birthday.[63] There was also further marriage speculation concerning Wallace.[21]

In September 1959, reports said Canadian lawyer John Turner, (whom she met in Canada the year before), had visited the Queen for discussions about marriage to Margaret.[64] In a 1966 letter she mentioned she "nearly married him", but Turner consistently refused to comment on the subject.[65] All predictions came to abrupt end with the shock announcement of her engagement to Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960.

Controversies

[edit]

Nightlife

[edit]

In 1948, the Sunday Pictorial challenged "Margaret's week of late nights", detailing the previous weeks revelry and asking whether it was setting a good example. International debate was sparked, but public sentiment was mostly favourable.[66] However, according to Marion Crawford, behind closed doors it made for a difficult situation.[67]

The British Press Strike (March - April 1955) primarily affected national newspapers and local dailies from the south of England.[68] Meanwhile, American papers reported on a set visit to the "exuberant" Stork Room. She probably wouldn't have frequented this place, they commented, but London newspapers are on strike and her escapades won't be chronicled locally.[69] On another occasion in the Stork Room, London gangster Jack Spot gave up his "best table" so Margaret and her friends could have it.[70] One reporter claimed that around this time it was "impossible to go pub crawling in London without bumping into Margaret in some bottle club or after-hours spot".[71]

Fox hunting

[edit]

Rarely seen riding with hounds, she preferred following fox hunts in a Landrover or car. Her attendance at these events still caused protesting letters from the League Against Cruel Sports,[72] but scant criticism from the public or press was evoked.

Retrospective re-evaluation

[edit]

The set were normally respectfully reported in the 1950s, but there was some revision later. When her engagement was in announced in 1960, it was suggested there was relief she was not going to marry one of the "chinless wonders" from the Margaret set who were "considered an aimless, ill-mannered lot".[73] Later reminiscences included that she had "launched herself into the slightly louche world of London nightlife" [74] with friends who were "a crowd of aristocratic hedonists."[75]

References

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  1. ^ a b Frischauer, Willi (1977). Margaret, Princess without a cause. London: Sphere. pp. 46–51.
  2. ^ Warwick, Christopher (1983). Princess Margaret. Internet Archive. New York : St. Martin's Press. pp. 49–51. ISBN 978-0-312-64555-7.
  3. ^ a b c d "High Society, Romance Combine In London's Wedding of the Year". The Gazette, Montreal. 20 October 1951. p. 4.
  4. ^ a b Musel, Robert (12 August 1959). "Work wasn't always her cup of tea". The Press Courier. p. 4.
  5. ^ a b c d "Close of a dream life". Courier-Mail. 1950-11-18. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  6. ^ "Fifi can, but can a princess too?". Spokane Daily Chronicle. 15 July 1949. p. 25.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "Princess and Danny Kaye demonstrate how the rhythm goes". London Evening Standard. 20 July 1955. p. 5.
  8. ^ a b "The Duke of Marlborough: Custodian of Blenheim Palace who preserved". The Independent. 2014-10-19. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  9. ^ a b c d Courtney, Nicholas (2012). Lord of the Isle. London: Bene Factum Publishing. pp. 40–51.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Clan Margaret sets tone and pace for West End". Australian Women's Weekly. 1950-06-17. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  11. ^ a b c "Princess Margaret in Scotland. House Party at Drumlanrig". The Glasgow Herald. 18 February 1949. p. 5.
  12. ^ a b c "Train passengers lean out to see Princess Margaret". Northampton Mercury. 18 June 1948. p. 5.
  13. ^ a b nigel dempster (1981). princess margaret. Internet Archive.
  14. ^ British Pathé (2014-04-13). The Royal Wedding Aka Duke And Duchess Of Gloucester's Wedding (1935). Retrieved 2025-06-26 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ a b Winn, Godfrey (1951). The Younger Sister. Hutchinson Printing Trust. p. 51.
  16. ^ Pottle, Mark (1998). Champion Redoubtable. The Diaries and Letters of Violet Bonham Carter 1914-45. The Orion Publishing Group Limited. pp. 85–90. ISBN 0-297-81650-0.
  17. ^ Pottle, Mark (2000). Daring to Hope. The Diaries and Letters of Violet Bonham Carter 1946-1969. The Orion Publishing Group Limited. p. 11. ISBN 0-297-81651-9.
  18. ^ Brown, Mark (2019-10-06). "Helena Bonham Carter sought Princess Margaret's blessing through psychic". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  19. ^ "The Royal College of Art Ball". The Sketch. 29 December 1954. p. 15.
  20. ^ admin (2019-06-24). "Colin Tennant | Bequia Stories". Retrieved 2025-06-28.
  21. ^ a b Gilmore, Eddie (10 August 1959). "Old Flame Constantly Her Escort". Windsor Daily Star. p. 17.
  22. ^ Wilson, Earl (10 May 1972). "It Happened Last Night". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 11.
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  24. ^ "Hostess Two". The Bulletin. 21 April 1959. p. 6.
  25. ^ a b "Venetia Stanley". Spartacus Educational. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  26. ^ a b "William Hickey flies from the Western Isles to Monte Carlo". Daily Express. 14 August 1956. p. 6.
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  28. ^ a b "The Earl of Dudley". www.thetimes.com. 2014-03-06. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  29. ^ a b "Princess sees Townsend at Godchild's home". The Bulletin. 22 October 1951. p. 1.
  30. ^ a b Dobson, Christopher (7 June 1955). "Chandelier London goes to see the 'pull' of two rival society shows". Daily Express. p. 5.
  31. ^ a b c Wilson, Earl (1 June 1953). "Princess And Singer Find Each Other Enchanting". Beaver Valley Times. p. 16.
  32. ^ Heffer, Simon. Henry 'Chips' Channon 1943-1957. Penguin Random House. p. 760. ISBN 0-8131-2251-1.
  33. ^ a b "Margaret Enjoys Chantilly Soiree, Plays For Garbo". Star-News. 23 November 1951. p. 37.
  34. ^ "Asks Palace To Squelch Rumor About Margaret". Ottawa Citizen. 16 June 1952. p. 5.
  35. ^ Barlovac, Bojana (2012-10-10). "Serbia Says Farewell to Controversial Regent". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  36. ^ "Obituary: Tom Egerton". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-07-08. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  37. ^ Mosely, Charlotte (1996). The Letters of Nancy Mitford and Evelyn Waugh. Chatham, Kent: Hodder and Soughton. pp. 147–8. ISBN 0-340-63805-2.
  38. ^ a b c "The Week's Social Journal". The Tatler. 24 January 1951. pp. 19–20.
  39. ^ a b c d "Princess Margaret at a Dance". The Queen. 24 December 1947. p. 10.
  40. ^ a b "Margaret Never Takes a Back Seat in Royalty". Telegraph-Herald. 20 November 1947. p. 4.
  41. ^ Kennedy, Ludovic (1989). On My Way To The Club. William Collins and sons Ltd. pp. 182–3. ISBN 0-00-217617-3.
  42. ^ Gottfried, Martin (1994). Nobody's Fool: The lives of Danny Kaye. Simon and Schuster. pp. 140–159. ISBN 0-671-86494-7.
  43. ^ North, Rex (19 July 1955). "HRH Honey". Sunday Mirror. p. 10.
  44. ^ "Eddie Gets Cold Shoulder at Princess' Charity Ball". The Deseret News. 27 June 1957. p. 34.
  45. ^ "One night only! PRINCESS & THE POPSTAR | New Zealand Woman's Weekly - womens-interest - Read this story on Magzter.com". Magzter. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  46. ^ Crawford, Marion (1950). The Little Princesses. New York: Curtis Publishing Company. p. 243.
  47. ^ "Princess's Requests bother band leaders". The Leader Post. 22 May 1946. p. 4.
  48. ^ a b "Margaret Rose Dances on Roof". Toledo Blade. 21 July 1953. p. 20.
  49. ^ Picardie, Justine (2021). Miss Dior. A Story of Courage And Couture. Faber and Faber. pp. Chapter 11.
  50. ^ a b "Crowds Greet Princess at Perth Ball". The Bulletin. 25 September 1953. p. 2.
  51. ^ "Jennifer writes her Social Journal". The Tatler. 15 March 1950. p. 22.
  52. ^ a b nigel dempster (1981). princess margaret. Internet Archive.
  53. ^ "Margaret Seems Joyous As Usual, Audience Notices". Spokane Daily Chronicle. 24 July 1953. p. 18.
  54. ^ "Has The Townsend Storm Blown Over?". Sun-Herald. 1954-09-26. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  55. ^ "Peers Wail Louder Than Frog Croaks". Toledo Blade. 2 June 1954. p. 28.
  56. ^ Courage, Fiona; Purcell, Jennifer J (2024). Reflections on British Royalty: Mass Observation and the Monarchy 1937-2022. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. Chapter 5. ISBN 9781350107168.
  57. ^ Pottle, Mark (2000). Daring to Hope. The Diaries and Letters of Violet Bonham Carter 1946-1969. The Orion Publishing Group Ltd. pp. 157–8. ISBN 0-297-81651-9.
  58. ^ "PRINCESS MARGARET". Barrier Miner. 1948-04-10. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  59. ^ Buchanan, Ann (22 August 1950). "Margaret is 20, No Announcement is made on possible engagement". The Montreal Gazette. p. 12.
  60. ^ "ENGLAND'S EYES ON FRIENDSHIP OF PRINCESS AND WEALTHY HEIR". Chronicle. 1951-08-09. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  61. ^ "Princess Meg Finds Her Love". New York Daily News. 6 June 1953. p. 1.
  62. ^ "Romantic twosome". The Morning Call. 7 June 1953. p. 6.
  63. ^ a b Langley Hall, Gordon (1958). Princess Margaret. An Informal Biography. Philadelphia: Macrae Smith Company. pp. 101–120.
  64. ^ "Turner Won't Talk of Royal Romance". The Leader-Post. 23 September 1959. p. 27.
  65. ^ "Monday's Editorials: Ex-PM won't kiss and tell about his old friend Princess Margaret". Edmonton Journal. 2 March 2015.
  66. ^ "Press would cut Margaret's fun". The Lewiston Daily Sun. 6 December 1948. p. 6.
  67. ^ Crawford, Marion (1950). The Little Princesses. New York: Curtis Publishing Company. p. 295.
  68. ^ "1955: Fleet Street papers back after strike". 1955-04-21. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  69. ^ "Princess Margaret steps off royal beat to go nightclubbing". The Opp News. 14 April 1955. p. 5.
  70. ^ North, Rex (24 April 1955). "It's a Raid!". Sunday Mirror. p. 10.
  71. ^ Mortimer, Lee (13 July 1955). "About Broadway". Press of Atlantic City. p. 15.
  72. ^ "League Again goes Gunning for Princess". Ottawa Citizen. 8 January 1952. p. 2.
  73. ^ Cullen, Tom A (5 March 1960). "Margaret Picks Man With Chin". The Victoria Advocate. p. 4.
  74. ^ Duncan, Andrew (15 May 1978). "Margaret and Tony. Andrew Duncan". Liverpool Echo. p. 10.
  75. ^ Irving, Clive (2020). The Last Queen. Biteback. pp. Chapter 2.
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