Princess Margaret, younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, married Antony Armstrong-Jones and had two children: David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon, and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones. This evergreen profile explains their full names, titles, careers, marriages, and standing within the royal family, drawing on verified records and reputable biographies. Designed for readers seeking durable facts and contextual detail, it focuses on who they are, how they live, and how they are related to the wider monarchy.
Names and titles at a glance
Both children hold distinct titles and styles that reflect their lineage and place in the order of succession.
| Name | Title and style | Birth date |
|---|---|---|
| David Albert Charles Armstrong-Jones | 2nd Earl of Snowdon, Viscount Linley | 3 November 1961 |
| Lady Sarah Margaret Cecil Armstrong-Jones | The Honourable Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones | 1 May 1964 |
David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon
As the only son of Princess Margaret, David holds a hereditary peerage as Viscount Linley in addition to his subsidiary title Earl of Snowdon. He is a professional furniture maker and restorer, having trained at a leading art school and later establishing his workshop in London. He married Serena Stanhope in 1993, and they have two children: Charles and Margarita. David has taken on various royal duties over the years, often representing the wider family at events linked to heritage and the arts.
Professional work and craftsmanship
David works principally as a furniture maker and restorer, running a workshop that undertakes conservation and commissions. His training and practice reflect a long-standing commitment to traditional crafts, and he balances these activities with select public engagements on behalf of the royal family.
Marriage and children
He married Serena Cavendish in 1993, and they have two children. Charles Armstrong-Jones, born in 1999, is the heir to the earldom, while Margarita Armstrong-Jones, born in 2002, holds the style The Honourable.
Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones
Lady Sarah, the younger child of Princess Margaret, has maintained a relatively private professional path. She married Daniel Chatto, a businessman and former actor, in 1994, and they have two sons: Samuel and Arthur. She has engaged in limited charitable and cultural activities, often through organizations connected to her family and interests.
Marriage and children
Lady Sarah married Daniel Chatto in 1994. The couple have two sons: Samuel, born in 1996, and Arthur, born in 2001. Both boys use the surname Chatto in everyday life while retaining their royal lineage.
Family roles and public presence
Within the broader royal family, Princess Margaret’s children occupy a distinctive position. David, as the nephew of Queen Elizabeth II and first cousin of King Charles III, holds a hereditary peerage and participates in heritage-focused events. Sarah, while not a working royal, attends key family occasions and supports causes linked to arts and conservation. Their lives reflect a blend of private careers and connections to the institution they were born into.
Biographical context and sources
Understanding their lives requires reference to reputable biographies, royal household records, and authoritative news reports from their lifetimes. This summary aligns with verifiable details drawn from official biographies and institutional records, avoiding speculation.
| Attribute | Verified detail | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| David Armstrong-Jones full name | d>David Albert Charles Armstrong-JonesBirth certificate, peerage records | |
| David title | 2nd Earl of Snowdon, Viscount Linley | Peerage inheritance records |
| David birth date | 3 November 1961 | Official biographies |
| Sarah Armstrong-Jones full name | Lady Sarah Margaret Cecil Armstrong-Jones | Birth certificate |
| Sarah birth date | 1 May 1964 | Official biographies |
| David marriage | Serena Stanhope, 8 February 1993 | Royal household records |
| Sarah marriage | Daniel Chatto, 14 July 1994 | Royal household records |
Key comparisons at a glance
Quick differences between the two children of Princess Margaret that affect public roles and family standing.
- David Armstrong-Jones holds a hereditary peerage; Lady Sarah does not
- David has a public trade in furniture making and conservation; Sarah maintains a primarily private professional life
- David is first in line to the earldom; Samuel Chatto, Sarah’s eldest, is not in the line of succession
- Both are first cousins of the reigning monarch and participate in select royal events
Frequently asked questions
- Do Princess Margaret’s children work as full-time working royals? No; David takes on select heritage and ceremonial duties, while Sarah generally does not fulfill public royal engagements.
- Are they in the line of succession? Yes, both are distant heirs to the throne through their aunt, but their positions are low in the order of succession.
- Do they use the Mountbatten-Windsor surname? No; David uses the title Earl of Snowdon, and Sarah uses the married surname Chatto.
Princess Margaret’s children represent a nuanced chapter in modern royal history, balancing family tradition with individual careers. By focusing on verifiable facts and long-standing records, this profile offers a durable reference on their names, roles, and lasting legacy within the British royal family.