20-07-2025
Princess Margaret's wild Monty Python night at the aristocrats' party revealed by BBC presenter
A 'very drunk' Princess Margaret once played a Monty Python song at an aristocratic gathering in the Scottish Borders, a former BBC presenter has revealed.
The Queen's sister was described as being 'incredibly sloshed' as musicians danced around, according to former BBC presenter Steve Blacknell.
The event was hosted by Colin Tennant, later 3rd Baron Glenconner, at his family's Glen House estate. His wife Lady Anne Coke was Princess Margaret's lady-in-waiting.
At the time Blacknell was living with Scottish psychedelic folk band The Incredible String Band who were invited to the dinner.
Speaking on the Time Capsule podcast, the 72 year old said: 'So there I am living with my heroes, one day the door opens in my little cabin and the drummer Jack [Ingram] comes in and he says 'we're off to have tea with some people so put your shoes on we're leaving in 10 minutes'.
'The row where they lived was in a place called Innerleithen in Peeblesshire, beautiful rolling hills and stuff, so about three quarters of a mile away was a castle which was owned by Colin Tennant.
'Now Colin Tennant was the guy who bought Mustique, the island, and was just an incredibly rich guy and he had this huge mansion thing.
'So we all traipse up there, we walk in and I can't believe I'm doing this with these people I adore so much and we can hear a piano playing so we get nearer and nearer and there plinking away on the piano, cigarette hanging out of her gob, is a very very very drunk Princess Margaret.
'So there she is with Roddy Llewellyn and they're all completely drunk... you're thinking what the hell is going on, I was only 21 or something.
'She starts playing on the piano, rather badly, 'I've got a ferret sticking up my nose' which is the Monty Python song and she said 'well come on then dance'.
'So just like dancing around a maypole me and these heroes of mine are dancing around an incredibly sloshed Princess Margret, to this day I still can't believe it.'
Blacknell is best known for being an MTV Video Jockey as well as working in PR for several record labels, he is currently the CEO of the Central London School of TV and Media Training.
