MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Royals

The 10 Biggest Royal Rebels In History

With and without a cause - by Mahalia Chang
  • 25 Nov 2020
The 10 Biggest Royal Rebels In History

If there's one thing we associate royals with, it's rules.

Whether they were born into royalty or got there by way of marriage, royals' lives are dictated by rules—rules about fashion, about beauty, about etiquette or even about what they can and cannot eat.

But where there are rules, there are rule-breakers.

Whether it's Princess Diana and her revenge dresses and billionaire boyfriends, or Princess Stéphanie of Monaco moving into a circus van with a married elephant trainer (!), these nine royals gave the rulebook the royal waive.

Princess Margaret
Getty

Princess Margaret

Just like her older sister, Queen Elizabeth, was the perfect princess, Princess Margaret was the typical rebellious younger sister. After one very public love affair with an older man, Margaret continued to live a renegade life, which included heavy drinking, heavy smoking, an infamous party life and (allegedly) an affair with Mick Jagger.

Princess Sofia
Getty

Princess Sofia of Sweden

Prince Carl Philip of Sweden raised eyebrows when, a year after breaking up with his partner of 10 years, he began dating Sofia Hellqvist, a model. During her career as a model, Hellqvist worked as a glamour model, appeared in the pages of Swedish men's magazine Slitz and (allegedly!) made out with adult film star Jenna Jameson on the set of reality show Paradise Hotel.

Princess Stéphanie of Monaco
Getty

Princess Stéphanie of Monaco

Next to her brief careers in fashion (as an apprentice at Christian Dior) and music (she has released two album to 'disappointing' reviews), Princess Stéphanie courted international attention when she had a baby girl named Camille out of wedlock and refused to tell anyone who her father was. Shortly after, the Princess began a relationship with 'married elephant trainer Franco Knie,' during which she moved into his 'circus caravan' with her three children. After that, she married acrobat Adans Lopez Peres, a member of her ex-boyfriend's circus. They were married for 10 months.

Meghan Markle
Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

Since meeting and marrying Prince Harry in 2017, Meghan Markle—now the Duchess of Sussex—has been accused multiple times of 'royal rule-breaking'… albeit unintentionally. From her ripped jeans to her messy buns, her friendship circle and even—gasp—jetting off to New York for a private baby shower, Meghan is generally considered to be a royal rebel.

Wallis Simpson
Getty

Wallis, Duchess of Windsor and Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor

There's "rebellious" then there's "giving up your throne to marry your girlfriend" rebellious. Wallis Simpson and the then-King Edward VIII were the centre of tabloid attention for years when the king attempted to marry his American divorcee lover. When he was not allowed to marry her (and therefore make her queen), he abdicated his throne, married her and took the lesser title, 'Duke of Windsor.'

But forsaken thrones weren't the only controversy surrounding Wallis and Edward (known to friends and family as 'David'). They were also thought to be Nazi sympathisers and lived a infamously 'freewheeling' life in France together, where they threw parties and became embroiled in New York's 'café society'.

Princess Diana
Getty

Diana, Princess of Wales

Both before and after her ill-fated marriage to Prince Charles, Lady Diana Spencer—later the Princess of Wales—never paid attention to the rules. Whether it was walking in landmine sites, hugging HIV positive patients, dating billionaires or being photographed in swimsuits, Diana always made headlines.

Prince Harry
Getty

Princes Harry

Known as the royal family's 'bad boy' (until he settled down with his American princess, that is), Prince Harry has been involved in his fair share of controversies. From wearing a Nazi uniform to a costume party to having his naked photos leaked, Harry is no stranger to tabloid headlines.

Sarah, Duchess of York
Getty

Sarah, Duchess of York

Ever since Prince Andrew announced his engagement to bubbly redhead Sarah Ferguson—quite the contrast to primp and proper Lady Diana—the Duchess of York has courted controversy. When the couple divorced in 1996, Princess Margaret reportedly wrote a letter to her claiming she had "done more to bring shame on the family than could ever have been imagined".

Princess Caroline
Getty

Caroline, Princess of Hanover

Although nowadays she's a regal mother and grandmother with a very covetable Chanel wardrobe, Princess Caroline of Monaco—now Caroline, Princess of Hanover—had quite the colourful past. Prior to her marriage to French venture capitalist Philippe Junot, Caroline was linked to various well-known men including "Mark Shand, the younger brother of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Guillermo Vilas; Sebastian Taylor, who had previously dated Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia; Jonathan Guinness, the son of Jonathan Guinness, 3rd Baron Moyne; Henri Giscard d'Estaing, the son of former President of France Valéry Giscard d'Estaing; and French singer Philippe Lavil."

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Kate Middleton Brings Old Hollywood Glamour To The 'Top Gun: Maverick' Premiere

Kate Middleton Brings Old Hollywood Glamour To The 'Top Gun: Maverick' Premiere

Turns Out, Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Almost Gave Archie A Different Name

Turns Out, Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Almost Gave Archie A Different Name

‘The Crown’ Are On The Hunt For Someone To Play A College-Age Kate Middleton

‘The Crown’ Are On The Hunt For Someone To Play A College-Age Kate Middleton

Idris Elba Reveals Rap Song Meghan Markle Wanted At Her 2018 Wedding

Idris Elba Reveals Rap Song Meghan Markle Wanted At Her 2018 Wedding

{headline}

{headline}

Queen Elizabeth Has Reportedly Decided To Never Move Back Into Buckingham Palace

Queen Elizabeth Has Reportedly Decided To Never Move Back Into Buckingham Palace

A Rare, Unseen Photo Of Princess Diana Has Been Revealed At Her Former London Home

A Rare, Unseen Photo Of Princess Diana Has Been Revealed At Her Former London Home

25 Rare, Yet Relatable Times The Royal Family Held Their Own Umbrellas

25 Rare, Yet Relatable Times The Royal Family Held Their Own Umbrellas

{headline}

{headline}

Prince Andrew Has Been Stripped Of His Military Titles Ahead Of Civil Sexual Abuse Case

Prince Andrew Has Been Stripped Of His Military Titles Ahead Of Civil Sexual Abuse Case

This Is How Much Kate Middleton's Jewellery Collection (Loaned & Owned) Is Actually Worth

This Is How Much Kate Middleton's Jewellery Collection (Loaned & Owned) Is Actually Worth

William & Kate Have An Unexpected (And Relatable!) Morning Tradition With Their Kids

William & Kate Have An Unexpected (And Relatable!) Morning Tradition With Their Kids

A New Book Has Claimed That Prince Charles Was The Royal Who Commented On Archie's Skin Colour

A New Book Has Claimed That Prince Charles Was The Royal Who Commented On Archie's Skin Colour

Kate Middleton Glimmers At London's Royal Albert Hall In A Recycled Jenny Packham Gown

Kate Middleton Glimmers At London's Royal Albert Hall In A Recycled Jenny Packham Gown

5 Times Kate Middleton Unexpectedly Broke The Traditional Royal Dress Code

5 Times Kate Middleton Unexpectedly Broke The Traditional Royal Dress Code

 Meghan Markle Is A Raven Red Queen As She Returns To The Red Carpet

Meghan Markle Is A Raven Red Queen As She Returns To The Red Carpet

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
MarieClaire Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Elle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • beautyheaven
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Marie Claire