How much of Roman Holiday was inspired by the real life romance between Queen Elizabeth's younger sister and her very unsuitable suitor? I've heard that the royal angle of Roman Holiday was inspired by the romance because it was going on during the time.
"I love knowledge. In fact I yearn for it." -from the TV show "Designing Women"
Check out the film's IMDb trivia section it sheds some light on the background of the story. Capra bought the story in 1949, a variation of his "It Happened One Night" but it eventually passed thru George Stevens before finally ending with Wyler. Since the Margaret-Townsend relationship was apparently "exposed" by the press at her sister's coronation in June 1953 and the film came out in Sept. 1953 it seems unlikely that that romance was the inspiration for the movie- but the timing was extremely advantageous for selling tickets and contributing to the success of the movie.
shareIn what way was Peter Townsend an unsuitable suitor for Princess Margaret?
Word is she had far worse ("She is a scallywag!").
Thanks for that information turtletommy!
Peter Townsend was (in order of importance to the monarchy)
a) divorced
b) a commoner
c) 16 years older with 2 children already
So those reasons are why Margaret wasn't allowed to marry him. Very very sad. If she had been allowed than she probably would have had an easier, happier life.
One of the reasons why I don't like to think about what Princess Ann's and Joe Bradley's lives were like after the end of the movie!!!!! :(
"I love knowledge. In fact I yearn for it." -from the TV show "Designing Women"
You're very welcome.
td-276, whether Margaret is a "scallywag" or not, Townsend was indeed seen as unsuitable to the royal family because of his divorced and commoner status. I think there was a lot of sympathy for her (and him) that they weren't allowed to marry as the years went by. Now it obviously wouldn't be a big deal. Of course there was a lot of nonsense and hypocrisy in the royal system from the beginning because as long as you were discrete about it (or even not) the male and female royals could marry "suitable" partners yet have affairs on the side.
Right, then perhaps you should have said, "By the standards of the time, he was a very unsuitable suitor". It come across as though you were making the judgement yourself.
Look, for what it's worth, I understand all of this. I'm half pom anyway and my parents have largely royalist attitudes (which I don't share).