Roddy Llewellyn
Encyclopedia
Sir Roderic Victor Llewellyn, 5th Baronet (born 9 October 1947) is a British baronet
, landscape gardener, gardening journalist, author and television presenter. He gained much notice for his eight year relationship with HRH Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon
, younger sister of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
, Brecknockshire
, the younger son of the late Sir Harry Llewellyn
, 3rd Bt, (d.1999) an Olympic Games Olympic gold-medalist in show jumping, and his wife, the Hon. Christine Saumarez (d.1998). He succeeded his elder brother, Dai, to the baronetcy in January 2009. Llewellyn was educated at Hawtreys School and Shrewsbury School
.
Starting in 1973, Llewellyn, then 25, began an affair with Princess Margaret, who was 43. The highly publicized eight year relationship was a factor in the dissolution of the Princess's stormy marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon
.
Sir Roddy Llewellyn is now married to the former Tatiana Soskin, a daughter of the film producer Paul Soskin, and has three daughters: Alexandra Llewellyn, a designer and artist, Natasha, and Rosie.
Agricultural College in Surrey. Today Llewellyn runs his own Garden Design company - Roddy Llewellyn's Garden Design.
Llewellyn has given lectures at the following shows and venues: Retirement Show (2008), Dobbies Garden Centre "Inspirational Ideas for the Garden", Hereford Cathedral "Interesting Ideas for the Garden", Malvern Spring Gardening Show "Who are better Gardeners - Men or Women?", Cotswold Wildlife Park (series) "An Evening with the Gardening Experts 2005-2006", Cholmondeley Castle "Amusing Ideas for the Garden" and has travelled aboard the Crystal Symphony on a Garden Design Theme Cruise giving "Themed Lectures". He has also made an appearance on Gardeners' World
(2007) and is a patron at Southport Flower Show
(2006).
Llewellyn has written gardening articles for Heritage Homes (2006), Country Life
(2005/2006), Country Illustrated (2004/2006), Oxfordshire Limited Edition (2006), The Lady (2005), Eden Project Friends (2004), Sunday Times (2004) and columns for the Daily Star, from 1981–1985, and The Mail on Sunday
from 1987 - 1999. He was also the presenter of The Home Show (1990) and The Gardening Roadshow (1992–1993) for Thames Television
amongst several others.
In the late '70s, he recorded an album
called Roddy, which consisted of reworkings of standards.
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
, landscape gardener, gardening journalist, author and television presenter. He gained much notice for his eight year relationship with HRH Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon
Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon
Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon was the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II and the younger daughter of King George VI....
, younger sister of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
Biography
He was born in CrickhowellCrickhowell
Crickhowell is a small town in Powys, Mid Wales.-Location:The name Crickhowell is taken from that of the nearby Iron Age hill fort of Crug Hywel above the town, the Welsh language name being anglicised by map-makers and local English-speaking people...
, Brecknockshire
Brecknockshire
Brecknockshire , also known as the County of Brecknock, Breconshire, or the County of Brecon is one of thirteen historic counties of Wales, and a former administrative county.-Geography:...
, the younger son of the late Sir Harry Llewellyn
Harry Llewellyn
Sir Harry Morton Llewellyn, 3rd Baronet, CBE was a British equestrian champion. He was born in Aberdare, South Wales, the son of a colliery owner, Sir David Llewellyn, 1st Baronet.- Background :...
, 3rd Bt, (d.1999) an Olympic Games Olympic gold-medalist in show jumping, and his wife, the Hon. Christine Saumarez (d.1998). He succeeded his elder brother, Dai, to the baronetcy in January 2009. Llewellyn was educated at Hawtreys School and Shrewsbury School
Shrewsbury School
Shrewsbury School is a co-educational independent school for pupils aged 13 to 18, founded by Royal Charter in 1552. The present campus to which the school moved in 1882 is located on the banks of the River Severn in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England...
.
Starting in 1973, Llewellyn, then 25, began an affair with Princess Margaret, who was 43. The highly publicized eight year relationship was a factor in the dissolution of the Princess's stormy marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon
Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon
Antony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon, GCVO, RDI is an English photographer and film maker. He was married to Princess Margaret, younger daughter of King George VI and younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II....
.
Sir Roddy Llewellyn is now married to the former Tatiana Soskin, a daughter of the film producer Paul Soskin, and has three daughters: Alexandra Llewellyn, a designer and artist, Natasha, and Rosie.
Gardening
In his twenties Roddy studied horticulture at Merrist WoodMerrist Wood
Merrist Wood is part of Guildford College of Further and Higher Education. The college is to the north of Guildford, Surrey . It specialises in horticulture, floristry, landscaping, garden design, animal care, countryside, golf, sports turf, arboriculture and equine studies. It also consists of 400...
Agricultural College in Surrey. Today Llewellyn runs his own Garden Design company - Roddy Llewellyn's Garden Design.
Llewellyn has given lectures at the following shows and venues: Retirement Show (2008), Dobbies Garden Centre "Inspirational Ideas for the Garden", Hereford Cathedral "Interesting Ideas for the Garden", Malvern Spring Gardening Show "Who are better Gardeners - Men or Women?", Cotswold Wildlife Park (series) "An Evening with the Gardening Experts 2005-2006", Cholmondeley Castle "Amusing Ideas for the Garden" and has travelled aboard the Crystal Symphony on a Garden Design Theme Cruise giving "Themed Lectures". He has also made an appearance on Gardeners' World
Gardeners' World
Gardeners' World is a long-running BBC television programme about gardening that continues to this day. Its first episode was filmed in 1968, presented by Ken Burras and came from Oxford Botanical Gardens. The magazine BBC Gardeners' World is a tie-in to the programme. Most of its episodes have...
(2007) and is a patron at Southport Flower Show
Southport Flower Show
Southport Flower Show held at Victoria Park, Southport, Merseyside is the largest independent flower show in the UK. It was originally started in 1924 by the local council, but since 1986 it has been operated by Southport Flower Show company, which is a registered charity. It is held annually for...
(2006).
Journalism and broadcasting
Llewellyn has had an accomplished journalistic career. His books include Town Gardens (1981), Beautiful Backyards (1986), Water Gardens: The Connoisseur's Choice (1987), Elegance & Eccentricity (1989), Growing Gifts (1991), Grow It Yourself. Gardening with a Physical Disability (1993), Roddy Llewellyn's Gardening Year (1997).Llewellyn has written gardening articles for Heritage Homes (2006), Country Life
Country Life (magazine)
Country Life is a British weekly magazine, based in London at 110 Southwark Street, and owned by IPC Media, a Time Warner subsidiary.- Topics :The magazine covers the pleasures and joys of rural life, as well as the concerns of rural people...
(2005/2006), Country Illustrated (2004/2006), Oxfordshire Limited Edition (2006), The Lady (2005), Eden Project Friends (2004), Sunday Times (2004) and columns for the Daily Star, from 1981–1985, and The Mail on Sunday
The Mail on Sunday
The Mail on Sunday is a British conservative newspaper, currently published in a tabloid format. First published in 1982 by Lord Rothermere, it became Britain's biggest-selling Sunday newspaper following the closing of The News of the World in July 2011...
from 1987 - 1999. He was also the presenter of The Home Show (1990) and The Gardening Roadshow (1992–1993) for Thames Television
Thames Television
Thames Television was a licensee of the British ITV television network, covering London and parts of the surrounding counties on weekdays from 30 July 1968 until 31 December 1992....
amongst several others.
In the late '70s, he recorded an album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
called Roddy, which consisted of reworkings of standards.