In today’s world, celebrities sharing intimate photos of themselves is practically a daily occurrence. But long before the era of social media, Princess Margaret made headlines with a bold move of her own—way back in the 1950s. The scandal surrounding her "nude" portrait became a dramatic highlight in Season 2 of The Crown, but guess what? It wasn’t just a fictional twist—it actually happened in real life.
The Crown's Take on Margaret's Bold Photo Session
Let me paint the picture for you. In the Netflix series, Princess Margaret (played by Vanessa Kirby) sits for a portrait session with her future husband, Antony Armstrong-Jones (played by Matthew Goode). Now, this wasn’t your typical royal photo op. Antony, who had a knack for capturing raw emotion, positioned Margaret away from the camera, gently slipping her sleeves off her shoulders. As the session unfolded, they engaged in a heartfelt conversation about her past relationship with Peter Townsend, a love she admitted she still missed from time to time. Antony seized the moment, snapping a photo that revealed a side of Margaret the world had never seen. This candid shot not only impressed them both but also became a pivotal moment in their relationship.
Margaret and Antony. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
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Queen Elizabeth's Reaction to the Scandal
Now, let’s fast forward to the real-life reaction. When this portrait hit the pages of newspapers in 1959, Queen Elizabeth was not amused. She was deeply concerned that people might think her sister was completely naked. Believe it or not, Princess Margaret herself sent the photo to The Times of London. Talk about a gutsy move!
The Real Photo and Its Legacy
The actual photo, available on the Town & Country website, differs slightly from its on-screen counterpart. In the real image, Margaret faces to the right instead of the left, she’s better lit, and her jewelry is on full display. According to Robert Lacy, The Crown’s historical consultant, this photo was the inspiration for the storyline. Interestingly, Antony also captured a near-nude photo of Margaret in 1967, seven years into their marriage.
This first portrait, taken for Margaret’s 29th birthday, wasn’t just a casual snap. In the biography Snowden, Anne de Courcy reveals that Antony saw the commission as "another excellent excuse for visits." Honestly, who can blame him? Antony had a knack for capturing the essence of his subjects, and Margaret was no exception.
