Page 36 - Peter Townsend News Today

The early episodes of the lavish royal drama followed a young Queen played by Claire Foy.

The early episodes of the lavish royal drama followed a young Queen played by Claire Foy.

The early episodes of the lavish royal drama followed a young Queen played by Claire Foy.

The early episodes of the lavish royal drama followed a young Queen played by Claire Foy.

The early episodes of the lavish royal drama followed a young Queen played by Claire Foy.

The early episodes of the lavish royal drama followed a young Queen played by Claire Foy.

The early episodes of the lavish royal drama followed a young Queen played by Claire Foy.

The church of england was extremely important to her. >> her faith underpinned her reign. you cant underestimate how key her deep faith was. >> as reigning monarch, the queen was head of the church of england, defender of the faith, and bound to exemplify the tenets of the anglican com communion. >> i think the queen did her best to balance duty and family responsibilities. and there must have been times when it was quite difficult. >> that delicate balance came to a head when her sister, prince...

They regard divorce with a sort of almost superstitious dread. >> 17 years earlier the queens uncle edward viii abdicated to marry american divorcee wallis simpson. elizabeths father reluctantly took on the throne. >> i think we have to remember that the queen is not only a devout christian but shes also the head of the church of england. >> the church of england at this time does not recognize divorce. it means that the queen is very conflicted. the royal court reacts really badly to the news o...

Asked will they become engaged? >> royal duty and consideration for her sisters position comes into her feelings very strongly. she wouldnt knowingly do anything that would damage the queen or damage the idea of the monarchy. >> princess monarchy wavered i think tremendously. one moment she thought she could. the next moment she thought she couldnt. >> finally, on october the 31st, 1955, princess margaret issues a statement. >> we are interrupting programs for a special announcement. i would lik...