Queen Mother in spotlight as new claims made about Princess Margaret

 

A new book has claimed that Queen Elizabeth, later Queen Mother, drank during her second pregnancy to such an extent that her daughter, Princess Margaret, had foetal alcohol syndrome. The allegation is in ''Princess Margaret and the Curse'' by Meryle Secrest which looks into the dramatic life of Queen Elizabeth II's younger sister.

The author says that some of Margaret's personality traits align with symptoms of the syndrome. She highlights her mood swings and problems learning skills such as writing as being indicative that she may have had the condition. She also points to the Princess being 5 foot 1 inch tall as shorter stature can be a symptom of the syndrome. At the heart of her argument is the Queen Mother's known fondness for a drink. In her later years, QEQM was reported to enjoy dubonnet and gin and wine with lunch and dinner.

Critics of the book say that there is no concrete evidence that Margaret had any invisible disability, as FAS is sometimes called and that the symptoms were just part of who she was. Certainly, the Princess didn't have the most well known characteristics of the condition which include a smooth philtrum and small eyes as well as a thin upper lip. There is also no indication that Margaret had any learning difficulties. She was known through her life for her sharp wit and sense of humour and although she experienced personal unhappinesses, they have never been attributed to a health condition.

There is also no evidence that the Queen Mother drank or drank to excess during her pregnancy with Margaret. The book quotes her as saying she found wine unbearable while expecting her elder daughter, Elizabeth, and there is nothing to suggest that this wasn't the case while she was carrying Margaret, too.

Princess Margaret and the Curse: an Inquiry into a Royal Lie by Meryle Secrest is published on September 9 2025 by Skyhorse.