Royal Birthday Photo “Too Serious And Sad”

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28053, 22 August 1956, Page 13

Royal Birthday Photo “Too Serious And Sad”

(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON. August 21 Two British newspapers today criticised the official birthday photograph of 26-year-old Princess Margaret. It made her look too serious ?nd sad they said. The photograph, taken by Cecil Beaton, the Princess, unsmiling and with arms folded, in a pink tulle gown, sequin-embroidered in flower motifs.

The “Daily Mirror’’ devoted its whole front page to comparing it with last year’s smiling birthday photograph of the Princess. The “Daily Mirror” said: “It shows a girl who looks forlorn, pensive, wistful, thoughtful and a little sad. But last year the Princess chose a brighteyed happy picture to mark her twenty-fifth birthday. “Isn’t it odd that a young girl should choose a gay picture one year and a sad one the next?

“What made her pick such a serious picture for a day that should be happy and carefree? Has anything happened since last year to explain the change? “Is this the way the Princess now sees herself?’’ The rival of the “Daily Mirror” in the picture paper field, the “Daily Sketch.” said: “Her face seems sad. her eyes have a far-away look. “But is this the real Princess Margaret?” The ‘Daily Sketch” contrasted the photograph with unofficial portraits of the “laughing, modern-minded, party-loving Princess, hit-tune lover and theatre-goer.” The “Daily Mail” columnist hailed the photograph as the “most striking Royal portrait of the year.” He said that friends of the Princess had said: “She has never been happier—never led a fuller or a richer life than she does today.”