A bombshell new book has reignited debate about the health of Princess Margaret, suggesting she may have been affected by foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) due to her mother's drinking during pregnancy.
The claims, made in a forthcoming royal biography, allege that the Queen Mother's well-documented fondness for gin and Dubonnet cocktails may have had unintended consequences for her younger daughter.
Controversial Claims About Royal Health
The book's author presents evidence suggesting Princess Margaret displayed several characteristics consistent with FAS, including distinctive facial features and developmental challenges. While these claims remain unverified by medical professionals, they've sparked fresh discussion about historical attitudes towards pregnancy and alcohol.
The Queen Mother's Well-Known Habits
Historical accounts have frequently mentioned the Queen Mother's daily drinking routine, which reportedly included multiple gin-based cocktails before lunch. The new biography suggests this habit continued throughout her pregnancy with Margaret in 1930.
Medical experts note that knowledge about the risks of alcohol during pregnancy was virtually non-existent in the 1930s. The first scientific papers linking maternal drinking to foetal abnormalities only emerged in the 1970s.
Royal Family's Silent Struggle
The book paints a poignant picture of Princess Margaret's life, suggesting her well-documented personal struggles and health issues might have been connected to these early developmental challenges. It highlights how even the most privileged families weren't immune to what we now recognise as preventable conditions.
Buckingham Palace has historically never commented on private medical matters concerning royal family members, and these latest claims are unlikely to receive an official response.
