10 Shocking Secrets Of Antony Armstrong-Jones: The Unconventional Photographer Who Married A Princess
Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon, remains one of the most fascinating and unconventional figures to ever marry into the British Royal Family. As of this writing in December 2025, his legacy as a groundbreaking photographer and a notorious socialite continues to be explored in modern exhibitions and retrospectives, cementing his place as a pivotal cultural figure of the 20th century. His life was a whirlwind of artistic genius, aristocratic scandal, and a royal marriage that captivated the world, forever changing the public's perception of the monarchy.
The story of "Tony," as his friends called him, is not just a royal footnote, but a narrative of an outsider who brought a fresh, modern, and often rebellious eye to the establishment. His professional work, which spanned decades for publications like *Vogue* and *The Daily Telegraph*, is still highly sought after, with his portraits continually featured in major art collections and auctions across the globe.
Complete Biography: Antony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon
- Full Name: Antony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones.
- Titles: 1st Earl of Snowdon, Viscount Linley.
- Born: March 7, 1930, in London, England.
- Died: January 13, 2017, in London, England (aged 86).
- Parents: Ronald Owen Lloyd Armstrong-Jones (Barrister) and Anne Messel (Socialite, later Countess of Rosse).
- Education: Eton College, Jesus College, Cambridge (Architecture, failed exams).
- First Wife: Princess Margaret (Married May 6, 1960; Divorced 1978).
- Second Wife: Lucy Mary Lindsay-Hogg (Married 1978; Divorced 2000).
- Children: David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon (Viscount Linley); Lady Sarah Chatto; Lady Frances Armstrong-Jones; Polly Fry (unacknowledged until DNA tests).
- Royal Role: Husband of Princess Margaret, granted the title Earl of Snowdon in 1961.
- Career: Acclaimed portrait photographer, photojournalist, documentary filmmaker, and furniture designer. Worked for *Tatler*, *Vogue*, and *The Sunday Times*.
- Health Note: Contracted poliomyelitis (polio) at age 16, which left him with a lifelong limp.
The Scandalous Royal Marriage That Changed the Monarchy
The marriage of Antony Armstrong-Jones and Princess Margaret in 1960 was an unprecedented event that sent shockwaves through the British establishment and the Royal Family. It was the first time in 400 years that a daughter of a monarch had married a commoner, and it was also the first royal wedding to be televised, a move that brought the monarchy into the modern media age.
Tony was a bohemian, a society photographer known for his unconventional lifestyle and circle of friends, a stark contrast to the stiff formality of the palace. His arrival introduced a breath of fresh, albeit chaotic, air into the royal household. He was affectionately known as "Tony" to his friends, a nickname that symbolized his disregard for aristocratic pretension.
Their courtship was conducted in secret, with the couple meeting at his studio in Pimlico, far from the prying eyes of the court. Princess Margaret announced their engagement just days after her sister, Queen Elizabeth II, gave birth to Prince Andrew, a strategic timing move rumored to deflect attention from the controversy.
The Downfall and Unconventional Lifestyle
Despite the fairytale start, the marriage was famously tumultuous, marked by mutual infidelities and intense arguments. Both Tony and Margaret were strong-willed, creative, and accustomed to being the center of attention. Their relationship disintegrated under the pressure of royal life and their own volatile personalities, leading to their formal separation in 1976 and divorce in 1978. This was the first royal divorce since Henry VIII, another historic and scandalous milestone.
Armstrong-Jones's personal life was a constant source of gossip. It was later revealed he had a daughter, Polly Fry, born just before his marriage to Princess Margaret, which he did not publicly acknowledge until a DNA test confirmed the paternity years later.
The Groundbreaking Photography of Lord Snowdon
Long before he became the 1st Earl of Snowdon, Antony Armstrong-Jones had established himself as one of Britain's most prominent portrait photographers. He began his career in the early 1950s, first apprenticing under the royal photographer Baron, and quickly moved on to shoot for society magazines like *Tatler* and later *Vogue*.
A New Era of Royal Portraiture
Snowdon's style was revolutionary, particularly in the context of the British monarchy. He rejected the stiff, formal, and heavily posed portraits of the past. Instead, he preferred to capture his subjects in natural, often surprising, environments, using dramatic lighting and unconventional angles to reveal a more intimate and human side.
His portraits of the Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret, were groundbreaking. He famously photographed the Queen in a casual, relaxed pose, a stark departure from traditional regal formality. His ability to connect with and disarm his subjects—whether royalty, celebrities, or ordinary people—is what defined his genius.
Legacy Beyond the Crown
Lord Snowdon's work extended far beyond royal circles. He was an influential photojournalist, covering social issues and the lives of the less fortunate, often focusing on people with disabilities, a cause close to his heart due to his own battle with polio. His diverse portfolio includes iconic images of figures like Marlene Dietrich, Laurence Olivier, David Bowie, and Elizabeth Taylor. He was a master of the environmental portrait, where the setting tells as much of the story as the subject.
Antony Armstrong-Jones's Enduring Influence and Current Legacy
Although Lord Snowdon passed away in 2017, his artistic legacy is anything but historical. His influence on modern photography is evident in the casual, intimate style now favored by royal and celebrity portraitists.
Recent Exhibitions and Market Relevance
As of late 2025, his work continues to be displayed in major art institutions, underscoring his lasting relevance. His portraits are frequently featured in group exhibitions that explore the history of photography. For instance, his works are often included alongside other giants of portraiture like Richard Avedon and Yousuf Karsh, demonstrating his position in the global photographic canon. Artnet and Mutual Art continue to track his artworks at auction, where his prints command high prices, particularly those from his most iconic royal and celebrity sittings.
His book, *Snowdon - A Life in View*, published in 2014, serves as a comprehensive retrospective of his career, a testament to the breadth and depth of his photographic output. The ongoing fascination with the British Royal Family, particularly the turbulent life of Princess Margaret, as dramatized in popular culture, has only amplified public interest in the life and work of the man known simply as Tony.
Antony Armstrong-Jones was a complex figure: a high-society rebel, a celebrated artist, and a member of the Royal Family who never truly belonged to the establishment. His ability to capture the soul of his subjects and his refusal to conform to the rigid expectations of the aristocracy ensure that the legacy of the 1st Earl of Snowdon will continue to intrigue and inspire for generations to come.
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