Yet another divorce in the Royal family has been announced

Royal divorce announced by David Armstrong-Jones and wife Serena
TOPSHOT - In the front row (L-R), children, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Savannah Phillips, Prince George of Cambridge and Isla Phillips chat on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as members of the Royal Family gather to watch a fly-past of aircraft by the Royal Air Force, in London on June 9, 2018. - The ceremony of Trooping the Colour is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. In 1748, it was decided that the parade would be used to mark the official birthday of the Sovereign. More than 600 guardsmen and cavalry make up the parade, a celebration of the Sovereign's official birthday, although the Queen's actual birthday is on 21 April. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)
(Image credit: AFP via Getty Images)
Ally Head
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Words by Ally Head

The Royal family haven't had an easy start to 2020: first, Harry and Megan stepped down as senior Royal family members and shared their plans to move to Canada, and just last week, the Queen's grandson Peter Phillips and wife Autumn announced they would be divorcing after 12 years of marriage.

Sad news just in today, a mere six days after Peter and Autumn's announcement: another Royal family divorce has been officially confirmed. This time, the Queen's nephew David Armstrong-Jones, 58, and wife Serena, 49, are parting ways after more than 25 years of marriage.

David, although not a direct descendant of the Queen, is the Queen's sister Princess Margaret's son, and his official Royal title positions him as the 2nd Earl of Snowdon.

Getty Images

The couple are said to have 'amicably agreed' to separate, according to a statement given by officials earlier in the week. The announcement, which was released on Monday, said: 'The Earl and Countess of Snowdon have amicably agreed that their marriage has come to an end and that they shall be divorced.'

'They ask that the press respect their privacy and that of their family.'

The couple tied the knot 26 years ago on the 8th October at St Margaret's Church in Westminster. They have two children, a son, Charles Armstrong-Jones, and daughter, Margarita Armstrong-Jones, aged 20 and 17.

Royal expert Patricia Treble took to Twitter to share her shock at the news, Tweeting: 'Wow, first the divorce of the Queen’s eldest grandson is revealed, now that of her nephew.'

'Combine it with Harry and Meghan retreating from royal duties and the ongoing scandal involving Prince Andrew and 2020 is shaping up to be a rough year for the Royal Family'.

David, who is known in his professional life as David Linley, is an established English furniture maker and honorary chairman of Christie's Europe, Middle East, Russia, and India.

Our thoughts and condolences go out the the Royal family at this hard time.

Ally Head
Ally Head
Senior Health and Sustainability Editor

Ally Head is Marie Claire UK's Senior Health and Sustainability Editor, nine-time marathoner, and Boston Qualifying runner. Day-to-day, she heads up all strategy for her pillars, working across commissioning, features, and e-commerce, reporting on the latest health updates, writing the must-read wellness content, and rounding up the genuinely sustainable and squat-proof gym leggings worth *adding to basket*. She also spearheads the brand's annual Women in Sport covers, interviewing and shooting the likes of Mary Earps, Millie Bright, Daryll Neita, and Lavaia Nielsen. She's won a BSME for her sustainability work, regularly hosts panels and presents for events like the Sustainability Awards, and is a stickler for a strong stat, too, seeing over nine million total impressions on the January 2023 Wellness Issue she oversaw. Follow Ally on Instagram for more or get in touch.

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