Another Royal romance?

Press, 19 September 1985, Page 16

Another Royal romance?

By

PHILIPPA MURRAY,

AAP Correspondent London The Royal-doting British public love nothing more than a court romance and in recent weeks their curiosity has been aroused by marriage rumours about Lord Linley.

Fleet Street tabloids have focused their attentions on the apparently flourishing romance between the 23-year-old son of Princess Margaret and her former husband, Lord Snowdon, and

Susannah Constantine, aged 22, the daughter of a wealthy businessman. The kindergarten teacher’s inclusion on a special Concorde flight for the Queen Mother’s birthday has heightened rumours of a betrothal.

Miss Constantine is pictured in papers along with her boyfriend, his sister, Lady Sarah ArmstrongJones, and the Queen Mother about to board the aircraft.

Such a public stamp of Royal approval for Susan-

nah has set gossip columns positively buzzing. Her father, Joe Constantine, described as “an international transport tycoon,” has denied wedding bells are in the air. Dismissing marriage rumours as “absolute rubbish,” he managed to keep speculation alive by adding: “Who knows where their relationship would lead, if people let them alone.” “They are obviously very fond of each other — but it’s their life and they must lead it.

“At the moment, there is no engagement, no secret wedding lined up. I wish some papers would stop making up these fairy tales.”

Although the couple have been together for almost

two years, they were thrust into the limelight only recently when a photograph appeared of them on a motor-cycle. They were pictured leaving the Live Aid concert, Lord Linley dressed in leather and his pillion passenger hugging his waist.

As well as their close relationship being noted, Miss Constantine was criticised for not wearing sufficient protective clothing on a motor-cycle. Since then, the press has staked out Lord Linley’s house in suburban Fulham and was rewarded with another picture of the bikie Royal, albeit almost unrecognisable in goggles and helmet and without his mate. Royal watchers have it

that both the Queen and Princess Margaret are both extremely “fond” of Lord Linley’s shy, dark haired sweetheart and she is said to have attended private Royal get-togethers. At least the spate of gossip has taken the heat off the most hounded young Royal, Princess Diana, who has barely rated a mention in the press recently.

Which leads to another thing — is it a coincidence or just imagination running riot. Shy, tall kindergarten teacher . . . wins favour with “the family”. . . included on Royal outings .. . strong denials from all quarters of marriage rumours.

It has been written before.