If the late Queen Elizabeth seemed seemingly indifferent to the Megxit turmoil and her grandson’s criticism of the royal family, perhaps that should not have been a surprise.
The Queen had seen it all before, as Ingrid Seward explains in her new biography of Elizabeth and King Charles III. And one episode from 30 years ago stands out in particular.
Marina Ogilvy, who rebelled against her privileged upbringing, won ‘Rear of the Year’ in 1991
Marina Ogilvy and her boyfriend, later husband, freelance photographer Paul Mowatt. They convinced her to accept a church wedding to avoid the feelings of the Royal Family.
Marina’s story was broadcast in the national media, to the distress of her family.
Marina’s ordeal became a national sensation. She burst into tears while being interviewed on television.
Newly married, Marina Mowatt, daughter of Princess Alexandra and Sir Angus Ogilvy and her husband Paul in 1990.
It was then that Marina Ogilvy, great-granddaughter of George V and niece of the Duke of Kent, decided to go for a colorful style.
As the daughter of the late Sir Angus and Alexandra Ogilvy, Marina is very well connected.
Alexandra’s brothers are Prince Edward. and Michael of Kent; All three brothers were first cousins of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Marina is also goddaughter of King Charles III.
In 1989, however, Marina had begun a relationship with Paul Mowatt, a photographer of whom, unfortunately, her parents did not approve.
She became pregnant and abandoned a place to study at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music to move in with her lover.
“Marina’s parents were furious when they heard the news,” Seward writes in My Mother and I, The Inside Story of the King and Our Late Queen.
‘Her disappointment in her talented daughter was accentuated by concern over what effect Marina’s behavior would have on the Royal Family.
“According to Marina, her mother told her to have an abortion or get married.”
Instead, Seward says, Marina sold her story and made a series of “hysterical” accusations, including that her parents had interrupted her and kicked her out of their home.
She appeared on television begging her parents to contact her.
And in 1990, she posed for a magazine in a rubber jumpsuit and a crown, surrounded by corgis.
“This,” he stated at one point, “is the dark side of the royal family that we are experiencing now.”
“The other side of the postcard is only for tourists.”
Marina and Paul Mowatt divorced in 1997 after seven years of marriage and two children, Zenouska and Christian.
Life became difficult for Marina, at least by royal standards.
At one point it was revealed that he was reliant on state benefits, including help with the rent of his grace and favor cottage in Windsor Great Park, prompting expressions of concern from Prince Charles.
However, as the years went by, Marina repaired her relationships and returned to using her maiden name and today, at 57, she is a teacher and musician.
She was present with the other royals, sitting in the front row next to her mother, at the recent memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece.
A family tree showing the descendants of George, Duke of Kent, including Marina Ogilvy.
Today Marina leads a very different life. She appears in the photo, second from the left, in the front row of St George’s Chapel alongside her mother, Alexandra Ogilvy and surrounded by other members of the Royal Family.
Princess Alexandra follows the coffin of her husband Sir Angus Ogilvy with her daughter Marina, third from left behind, her son James and her granddaughter Zenouska Mowatt.
Princess Alexandra and her daughter Marina arrive at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for the Thanksgiving service for the Queen’s 80th birthday.
Zenouska Mowatt, daughter of Marina and granddaughter of Princess Alexandra
Princess Alexandra and Zenouska Mowatt, Marina’s daughter, leave Westminster Abbey following Lady Elizabeth Shakerley’s 2022 celebration service.
If she seems to have little interest in publicity, who could blame her?
As Seward says, Marina’s youthful defiance had “echoes of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex some 30 years later.”
‘The Queen did not hide her displeasure.
‘Several years later, Lady Elizabeth Anson was going through the Queen’s Christmas card list with her when they came to Marina’s name.
“I don’t think so,” said the Queen, and put an end to it.