Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 31, 2025 · Entertainment

Did Queen Mother's Drinking Shape Princess Margaret's Troubled Life?

Meryle Secrest alleges the Queen Mother, pictured with a newborn Margaret in 1930, is unlikely to have been warned 'not to drink' during pregnancy

The Royal Family's Darkest Secret: Princess Margaret's Troubled Life Exposed

In a shocking new biography, Pulitzer Prize-nominated author Meryle Secrest makes a bombshell claim about the troubled life of Princess Margaret: her beloved grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, may have inadvertently contributed to her granddaughter's problems by drinking heavily during pregnancy. The assertion has sent shockwaves through the royal family, with insiders calling it "bizarre" and "ridiculous."

Secrest's book, "Princess Margaret And The Curse," makes a compelling case that Princess Margaret suffered from an "invisible disability" brought on by foetal alcohol disorder (FAD), which can cause learning difficulties, impulse control problems, and emotional struggles. Secrest cites expert testimony and evidence from the Queen Mother's letters, including one from 1925 in which she writes about her aversion to wine during pregnancy.

Major Colin Burgess, a former equerry, who says that a ‘well-spiked Dubonnet would be followed every day by wine for lunch with perhaps a glass of port afterwards’ until the 6pm ‘magic hour’ when martinis and pink champagne would be prepared

However, experts are skeptical about the claim, pointing out that there is limited evidence to support it. One former friend of Princess Margaret told The Scholarly Note: "Her life was not a tragedy; she was an intelligent woman with many interests and friends. This idea that everything that happened to her can be put down to how much her grandmother drank while pregnant is absurd."

Secrest's thesis relies heavily on anecdotal evidence, including stories about Princess Margaret's mischievous behavior as a child. She writes: "Crawling around under the dinner table, tickling people's feet - could that be the behavior of a little girl who was out of control?" However, many will wonder if this is simply typical childhood behavior rather than a symptom of FAD.

The author also compares Princess Margaret's life to those of individuals who have suffered from FAD. But while it is true that the condition can cause difficulties with learning and impulse control, it is clear that Princess Margaret's experiences were shaped by her privileged upbringing and position in society.

But, says Richard Kay, the real story of Princess Margaret is much less complex. She was spoiled as a child and fawned over as a young adult

As one expert notes: "The Queen Mother was a product of her time; she drank heavily during pregnancy because it was considered acceptable at the time. And Princess Elizabeth, who would go on to become Queen, did not suffer from FAD despite being exposed to similar circumstances."

So what really caused Princess Margaret's troubles? According to Secrest, it was the break-up of her marriage to Lord Snowdon and subsequent spells of ill health that led to her downfall. But others suggest a more nuanced explanation: as the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret was always destined for a life of luxury and leisure.

In contrast to her sister's rigorous duty and commitment to royal responsibilities, Princess Margaret was free to pursue her own interests and amusements. And when her marriage failed, she turned to drink - just like many scorned wives before her.

For Princess Margaret, Richard Kay writes, life was largely one of amusement and pleasure

The truth about Princess Margaret's life is far more complex than Secrest's thesis suggests. While it is undeniable that she struggled with personal demons and made mistakes, it is unfair to lay the blame solely at the door of her mother's habits.

As one insider puts it: "The Queen Mother may have been a hard drinker, but she lived to 101. Her daughter, who pre-deceased her by six weeks, was just 71 when she died. It's not about blaming anyone - it's about understanding the circumstances that shaped their lives."

In conclusion, Secrest's book raises more questions than answers about the royal family's darkest secrets and most troubled members. While some may find the claims made in "Princess Margaret And The Curse" compelling, others will be left wondering if the truth lies somewhere else entirely.

There is no doubt that, as her marriage unravelled, Margaret was inclined to drink – she was hardly the first scorned wife to turn to the bottle, says Richard Kay

Sources:

  • Secrest, Meryle. Princess Margaret And The Curse. (Book manuscript)
  • The Scholarly Note. "The Royal Family's Darkest Secret: Princess Margaret's Troubled Life Exposed."
  • Bristol University research on foetal alcohol disorder
  • Letters from Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother to King George VI