Queen’s nephew the Earl of Snowdon and wife the Countess ‘amicably agree’ to divorce

Earl of Snowdon is son of late Princess Margaret and photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones

Sabrina Barr
Tuesday 18 February 2020 09:01 GMT
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David Armstrong-Jones, the Earl of Snowdon, and Serena Armstrong-Jones, the Countess of Snowdon, at the V&A Museum's Christian Dior exhibition on 29 January 2019
David Armstrong-Jones, the Earl of Snowdon, and Serena Armstrong-Jones, the Countess of Snowdon, at the V&A Museum's Christian Dior exhibition on 29 January 2019

The Earl of Snowdon, nephew of Queen Elizabeth II and son of the late Princess Margaret, and his wife, the Countess of Snowdon, have “amicably agreed” to divorce.

David Armstrong-Jones and Serena Armstrong-Jones have been married for more than 25 years, having wed at St Margaret’s Chuch in Westminster on 8 October 1993.

They have two children together: 20-year-old Charles Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley, and 17-year-old Lady Margarita Armstong-Jones.

A spokesperson for the couple said: “The Earl and Countess of Snowdon have amicably agreed that their marriage has come to an end and that they shall be divorced.

“They ask that the press respect their privacy and that of their family.”

The Earl of Snowdon, who is known professionally as David Linley, is the eldest of the two children Princess Margaret had with her spouse of 18 years, celebrity photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones.

Lady Sarah Chatto, daughter of Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, is 55 years old, while her older brother is 58 years old.

When the Earl of Snowdon was born in 1961, he was fifth in line to the throne. He is currently 21st in line.

The royal has a luxury furniture company and has written several books about home interiors.

The news of the Earl and Countess of Snowdon’s separation comes following the recent announcement that Peter Phillips, the Queen’s eldest grandchild, had separated from his wife, Autumn Phillips, after 12 years of marriage.

In a statement released on behalf of the Phillips couple, it outlined that they had informed the Queen and members of their respective families of their decision last year.

“They had reached the conclusion that this was the best course of action for their two children and ongoing friendship,” the statement outlined.

The announcement added that the couple’s “first priority” is the “continued well being and upbringing” of their two daughters.

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