Snowdon & Margaret Part 2

In the mid 60s they were the most modern and glamourous royal couple. They parties they threw were attended by the elite of the artistic world such as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, and Frank Sinatra.

People were never allowed to forget that she was a Princess. She was always regal and grand in every setting. Tony became increasingly tired of his wife’s high standards and royal ways. They began to argue in front of others.  Tony began working again and would go away for long stints. The unhappiness led to affairs, due to the feelings of neglect. He asserted his independence and she was left lonely.

Princess Margaret was known to be temperamental and Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother were sympathetic to him. Tony was having an affair with the neighbor’s daughter who was 16 years his junior. The press threatened to come out with the story and the girl admitted to the affair. Tony’s world was crashing in on him and he took it out on Margaret.

As their marriage began to unravel, Margaret was starting to gain weight and began drinking. Margaret then started a relationship with a man 17 years her junior, Rody Luellen. When the press printed a photo of Margaret with her younger lover it was the last straw for Tony. He saw it as a way out of the marriage. The press wasn’t so kind and Tony came out on top, making it seem like it was her fault.

They divorced in 1978 and she was devasted. Divorce went against her religious beliefs and felt she had let the royal family down. This divorce was the first in the royal family in more than 400 years.

Her health deteriorated after the divorce, while Tony’s photography career continued. He continued to keep a good relationship with the royal family despite the divorce. The family appreciated that he had never spilled the beans on the marriage with Margaret.

Tony went on to get remarried to a lady he was having an affair with while he was still married to Margaret. But his wandering eye and promiscuous ways continued and he had a love child with a woman 30 years his junior, when he was 67 years old. He then had his second divorce.

It’s really a sad story of the marriage but very interesting and scandalous. I didn’t know the Queen actually had a sister until recently. Margaret passed away in 2002 at the age of 71 after suffering several strokes. And Tony is still alive today at age 83.

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Find That Someone

I Do, Now What? by Giuliana and Bill Rancic

This book is adorable. It is so obvious that these two genuinely love and respect each other. As a fan of their reality show, Giuliana and Bill, this was yet another fun look into their lives.

They are so down to earth and honest about their relationship. Throughout the book they give advice about marriage and relationships and add their own personal stories and what they learned from different situations. They talk about not playing games when dating, jealousy, locker room talk, long distance relationships, marriage, and dealing with in laws among other things. They give a lot of solid advice that I totally agree with such as not engaging in locker room talk with your friends out of respect for your spouse.

There is always room for improvements in all areas of our lives and this is a fun read for couples no matter what stage they are in their relationships. I love that you can hear their voices when you are reading. Their humor is always present and they like to tease each other which is super cute. I would definitely recommend this book to other people to pick up.

Next week I’ll be reviewing Tina Fey’s Bossypants!

Serenity

My Reality by Melissa Rycroft

It’s no secret by now that I love watching the Bachelor and the Bachelorette. (I have done fashion posts on previous bachelorettes Ali Fedotowsky, Jillian Harris, and Emily Maynard.)

So naturally when Melissa Rycroft, a contestant on Jason Mesnick’s season 13 of the Bachelor, came out with a book, I was curious and wanted to read it. It is titled My Reality.

Here is the synopsis: Best known as the girl who was proposed to by The Bachelor star Jason Mesnick and then dumped on national TV six weeks later, Melissa Rycroft immediately turned her life around. Now married to her original love, Tye Strickland, and expecting her first child, Melissa shares her “Cinderella” story of overcoming heartbreak and finding happiness.

The main reason I wanted to read it was to get her perspective on the things that happened during the Bachelor, and to see if she would give any juicy scoop on her time in the Bachelor mansion. I was a little disappointed that she was brief on her time in the infamous mansion and didn’t really tell me anything I didn’t already know. It is probably out of respect for the contestants but I wish she would have given more details.

I’m actually surprised she was able to write about her experience during her time on the Bachelor at all. I hear they have very strict confidentiality contracts they have to sign to appear on the show and to not give away the show’s secrets. So maybe that is part of it too.

But it was interesting to hear how the process works from applying, to interviewing to getting accepted and going onto this well known show. She talked a lot about being in the “Bachelor Bubble” which was also refreshing to read about. She talks about how you are not allowed to have contact with your family or friends while on the show, you aren’t allowed to have any reading materials, etc. You are put in an environment with other girls all dating the same guy and how limited/small your world becomes.

And if you are a fan of the show you will know that it does have a great track record for couples making it in the real world after the glitz and glamour of the show has worn off. (In its 17 seasons only 3 couples have married their chosen one from the show) It’s no wonder though, because Melissa mentioned that she had only gone on 3 dates with Jason before he proposed! Three dates people! What can you really know about a person after such a short period of time?! It’s definitely a crazy whirlwind and it’s easy to see how theses people get wrapped up in the moment.

I also thought it was sweet to read about her roller coaster romance with her now husband Tye Strickland who she dated before and after the Bachelor. Their relationship went through a lot to get to the happy place they are in now and it really goes to show how fate leads you where you are supposed to be and how things really do happen for a reason.

And lastly I found it very interesting to hear how quickly things turned around for her after the Bachelor. She was offered a spot on Dancing with the Stars and placed third. Then Good Morning America asked her to become a correspondent for them, which lead to other jobs. Her life has changed a lot in the last few years and her book was a refreshingly honest and candid look at the road that lead her to where she is today.

It’s a nice quick read, I finished it the same day I started it. I would recommend it if you’re looking for a light summer read. If you have read it, I would love to hear your thoughts as well!

Next Tuesday join me as I review Chelsea Handler’s latest book, “Lie Chelsea Handler Told Me,” written by her staff, family, and friends.

Romantic Stroll

Christmas Photo Ideas

 

Here is a sweet couple who took pictures to commemorate their first Christmas together as a married couple. I found these pictures on The Sweet Occasion. These are also cute ideas for you and your significant other to take Christmas pictures. My favorite is the one with the couple wrapped up in lights. 

 

 

 

 

Snowy Romance

Rustic Engagement Photo Shoot

Bridal Musing featured a great rustic engagement photo shoot with wheat fields, hay bails, and a row boat. I love the feel of the photo shoot and love how the pictures turned out! What do you guys think?

Relationship Worth Fighting For