Fashion Writer Recounts How Princess Margaret Helped in Two Unexpected Bathroom Incidents
Susannah Constantine has shared an amusing and unexpected memory of Princess Margaret coming to her aid on two separate occasions involving bathroom mishaps. The fashion writer and TV personality, who once dated Princess Margaret’s son, David Armstrong-Jones, recounted these moments during an appearance on the How to be 60 with Kaye Adams podcast.
In the conversation, Constantine, 60, revealed that the royal had stepped in to help her when she found herself in particularly embarrassing situations. One of the incidents occurred during a birthday party, where Constantine fainted and found herself in a rather unfortunate predicament. “It’s gross, but it just shows her resourcefulness,” Constantine said. “I fainted and had an accident.”
The fashion writer explained how supermodel Jerry Hall discovered her and, with Princess Margaret’s help, the two women cleaned her up. “Princess Margaret arrived, and together they helped me, gave me a quick clean-up, and then sent me back into the party,” Constantine recalled.
The second instance involved a more humorous and equally awkward scenario. Constantine was attending an event at the Greenwich Naval College when she was delayed in the bathroom. Margaret, apparently concerned about her long absence, came searching for her. “I was taking too long, and she thought I was being incredibly rude,” Constantine laughed. “She came to find me, and I heard her voice, ‘Susannah!’ I replied, ‘Yes, ma’am,’ and then she barged in.”
In the lavatory, Constantine was sitting with her trousers down, unable to flush the toilet. She recalled telling Princess Margaret, “Ma’am, it won’t go down.” In response, Margaret, ever resourceful, suggested she fetch a knife. Constantine quickly returned with an ivory-handled cake slicer, which Margaret used to break up the blockage and finally flush the toilet.
Constantine revealed that she still keeps the cake slicer as a memento of the unexpected moment. “She chopped the blockage up, flushed it, and handed the knife back to me. I still have it to this day,” Constantine shared.
The conversation also touched on the bond Constantine shared with Margaret, even after her relationship with Viscount Linley came to an end. Constantine fondly recalled how, years later, when she became engaged to her current husband, Princess Margaret reached out with a heartfelt invitation to celebrate. “It was incredible – she was so generous and loyal. Not many would do that, especially after not having seen you for years,” Constantine said.
The Independent has reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment on the story.
