Llewellyn

Sir Roderic Victor Llewellyn, 5th Baronet, born in 1947, is a British figure with a career spanning garden design, journalism, and television presenting. He is also recognized for his eight-year relationship with Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II. Llewellyn's upbringing included attendance at Shrewsbury School and Merrist Wood College for horticulture. He inherited his baronetcy in 2009.

His personal life gained significant public attention due to his affair with Princess Margaret, which began in 1973. Their relationship, often scrutinized by the media, was a contributing factor to the dissolution of her marriage. Despite public scandal, including being labelled her "toy boy," Llewellyn expressed respect for the Queen and the royal family. Following Princess Margaret's death, Queen Elizabeth II reportedly expressed gratitude to a mutual acquaintance for introducing them, stating Llewellyn made her sister "really happy." Llewellyn married Tatiana Soskin in 1981, and they have three daughters.

Llewellyn's professional life has largely centered on gardening. He runs a garden design company and has lectured extensively on the subject. His journalistic work includes numerous articles and columns for various publications, and he has presented television programs related to gardening. He also briefly pursued a career in music, releasing an album that garnered little success, with media attention focusing on his personal life.

Llewellyn's passion for plants, which he states provide him with "enormous solace," has been a driving force in his career. Introduced to gardening by his nanny, he developed a deep appreciation for the subject, particularly evident in his childhood experiences at Llanfair Grange. He established Roddy Llewellyn's Garden Design and has become a frequent lecturer at various events and venues, including garden shows, retirement exhibitions, and even on cruise ships, sharing his insights on garden design. His published works on gardening include titles such as "Town Gardens," "Beautiful Backyards," and "Roddy Llewellyn's Gardening Year," among others. He has also contributed articles and columns on gardening to numerous magazines and newspapers, including "Country Life," "The Sunday Times," and "The Mail on Sunday," for which he served as Gardening Correspondent for twelve years.

Beyond his horticultural pursuits, Llewellyn has built a notable career in journalism and broadcasting. He has authored books, articles, and regular columns focusing on gardening for a wide array of publications. His journalistic contributions have appeared in magazines like "Heritage Homes," "Country Illustrated," and "The Lady," as well as major newspapers such as "The Sunday Times" and "The Mail on Sunday," where he held a long-standing column. In television, Llewellyn has presented programs like "The Home Show" and "The Gardening Roadshow." His appearances on "Gardeners' World" further cemented his presence in the broadcasting landscape, showcasing his expertise and engaging personality to a wider audience.

Llewellyn's personal life, particularly his eight-year relationship with Princess Margaret, significantly shaped his public profile. The affair, which began in 1973, generated considerable media attention and scandal, with Llewellyn often portrayed in tabloids as her "toy boy." Despite the intense scrutiny, he issued a statement expressing respect for the Queen and the royal family. The relationship was acknowledged as a factor in the dissolution of Princess Margaret's marriage. In later years, Queen Elizabeth II reportedly conveyed to a friend that Llewellyn had made her sister "really happy." Llewellyn married Tatiana Soskin in 1981, with whom he has three daughters. He also briefly released a pop music album in 1978, which saw little commercial success as media interest remained focused on his personal life.

“I have always been fascinated by plants...They give me an enormous amount of solace.”

“He was well-mannered, well-spoken, and amusing; above all, he was very sweet-natured.”

“I much regret any embarrassment caused to Her Majesty the Queen and the royal family, for whom I wish to express the greatest respect, admiration and loyalty”

“he made her really happy”