The tale of romance between Peter Townsend and Princess Margaret mesmerized the public during the 1950s.

The narrative of their love affair is intricately portrayed in the early seasons of the popular series “The Crown” and revisited in Season Five.

Despite their engagement, a royal marriage was never on the horizon for the Royal Air Force pilot and the princess, who was 16 years his junior.

The duo never made it to the wedding aisle primarily due to the interference of Margaret’s elder sister, Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at the age of 96 on September 8.

Nevertheless, there were other factors that contributed to keeping them apart, as stated by Julie Taddeo, a research history professor at the University of Maryland.

The objections of the Church of England and Parliament to their union, given Townsend’s prior divorce, were significant reasons for their separation, according to Taddeo.

The timeline of the relationship between Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend unveils intriguing details about how they crossed paths.

A decorated pilot in the Royal Air Force, Group Capt.

Peter Townsend was appointed to the royal household in 1944 by King George VI after his service in World War II.

As an equerry, Townsend served as an aide to the king.

Married with two young sons, the 29-year-old Townsend grew close to the royal family over time, including King George’s daughters Elizabeth and Margaret.

Following King George’s demise in 1952, Elizabeth ascended to the throne, and Margaret sought solace and support from her father’s former equerry.

The bond between them deepened, often seen riding and spending time together, as depicted in the 2005 BBC documentary “Princess Margaret: A Love Story.”

Townsend and his wife, Rosemary Pratt, Marchioness Camden, ended their 11-year marriage in 1952.

In the aftermath of their split, Townsend and Margaret confessed their feelings for each other, leading to a profound connection between them.

Despite planning to wed, their relationship remained hidden from the public eye until the queen’s coronation in June 1953 when a revealing photograph captured Margaret removing lint from Townsend’s uniform, sparking intense scrutiny.

The societal norms of the 1950s, influenced by the controversial history of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, played a role in the disapproval of Margaret’s relationship with a divorced commoner like Townsend.

The obstacles faced by the couple extended beyond public scrutiny, with the regulations of the Church of England and Parliament posing additional challenges.

Margaret, requiring her sister’s consent to marry before turning 25, faced a dilemma that led to a pause in her nuptial plans.

As Townsend was sent abroad for service in Belgium, Margaret and he continued their correspondence.

Upon his return in 1955, the public showed support for their union, but the sacrifices demanded, including Margaret forfeiting her royal status, proved insurmountable.

In a poignant decision, Margaret prioritized her duty to the Commonwealth over personal happiness, ending the prospect of marriage with Townsend.

Years later, after their respective failed marriages, Margaret and Townsend briefly reconnected in the ’90s, sharing a meal at Kensington Palace.

Their encounter, tinged with nostalgia, marked the final chapter of their enduring yet unfulfilled love story.

The passing of Townsend in 1995 and Margaret in 2002 concluded a saga of missed opportunities and unrealized dreams, leaving behind a legacy of poignant what-ifs and untold emotions within the corridors of royalty.