Roddy Llewellyn

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Roddy Llewellyn – Life, Career, and Memorable Insights

Explore the life of Roddy Llewellyn — his background, work as gardening journalist, author, and TV presenter, famous relationship with Princess Margaret, key quotes, and lasting legacy.

Introduction

Sir Roderic Victor “Roddy” Llewellyn, 5th Baronet (born October 9, 1947), is a British gardener, journalist, author, and television presenter. Though perhaps best known in popular culture for his high-profile relationship with Princess Margaret, Llewellyn has spent much of his life cultivating gardens, writing about horticulture, and appearing in media on subjects of gardening and landscape design. His life bridges aristocratic lineage, public intrigue, and a lifelong passion for plants and design.

In this article, we will examine his early life, career in journalism and gardening, public relationships, key statements, and the lessons that emerge from his path.

Early Life and Family

Roddy Llewellyn was born on October 9, 1947, in Crickhowell, Brecknockshire, Wales. He is the younger son of Sir Harry Llewellyn, 3rd Baronet, a celebrated Olympic equestrian who won gold medals in show jumping, and Christine Saumarez.

Roddy was educated at Hawtreys School and then Shrewsbury School. Later, in his 20s, he studied horticulture at Merrist Wood Agricultural College (in Surrey) to formalize his knowledge of plants and gardens.

In January 2009, he inherited the baronetcy upon the death of his elder brother, Dai Llewellyn, becoming the 5th Baronet of Llewellyn.

During his childhood, Llewellyn’s parents were often away due to equestrian events and public obligations (particularly his father). He has spoken of his nanny, Rebecca Jenkins, as having been a formative influence in cultivating his early love for gardening.

Career in Gardening, Journalism & Media

Although not strictly a “journalist” in the conventional sense of political or current affairs reporting, Roddy Llewellyn carved out a long career in gardening journalism, broadcasting, and authorship. His public identity is closely tied to gardens, design, and media.

Gardening & Design

From an early age, Llewellyn was fascinated by plants, often citing his nanny giving him seeds when he was only three. Roddy Llewellyn Garden Design / Landscapes, handling garden projects from small urban plots to country estates.

He also lectures widely, offering talks and presentations at events such as the Malvern Spring Gardening Show, Dobbies Garden Centre, Hereford Cathedral, and themed cruises aboard ships (e.g. garden-design cruises) on the Crystal Symphony.

He is or has been a patron of garden shows such as the Southport Flower Show.

Journalism & Broadcasting

Llewellyn contributed articles, columns, and features on gardening and related topics to magazines and newspapers over decades. Some of the outlets he wrote for include:

• The Daily Star (columnist, 1981–85)

• The Mail on Sunday (Gardening Correspondent, 1987–1999)

• Magazines such as Country Life, Heritage Homes, The Lady, Country Illustrated, and others on gardening and country lifestyle topics.

He also presented television programs focusing on home/garden interests, for example The Home Show in 1990, The Gardening Roadshow (1992–93), and many episodes of garden-design features and guest appearances on shows like Gardeners’ World.

He also was engaged in gardening series such as Roddy Llewellyn’s Garden Guide on BSkyB / Granada Breeze for almost 200 episodes, and appeared on This Morning in UK television.

His broadcasting and media presence helped him reach a broader public beyond those purely interested in horticulture.

Publications

Llewellyn authored several books on gardens, design, and landscaping. Selected works include:

• Town Gardens (1981)

• Beautiful Backyards

• Water Gardens: The Connoisseur’s Choice

• Elegance & Eccentricity

• Growing Gifts

• Grow It Yourself: Gardening with a Physical Disability

• Roddy Llewellyn’s Gardening Year (1997)

Through these writings, he combined practical gardening advice, aesthetics, design insight, and personal reflections on nature.

Public Life & Famous Relationship

One of the most public aspects of Roddy Llewellyn’s life was his relationship with Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II.

• Their affair began in 1973, when Llewellyn was 25 and Margaret was 43.

• In 1976, photographs of them holidaying in Mustique generated major tabloid scandal. Llewellyn was often dubbed a “toy boy” in the press.

• The relationship lasted about eight years and is widely considered one contributing factor in the dissolution of Princess Margaret’s marriage to the Earl of Snowdon.

• After their separation, Princess Margaret is said to have destroyed much of their correspondence.

• Llewellyn later married Tatiana Soskin on July 11, 1981, and they had three daughters: Alexandra, Natasha, and Rosie.

Because of this relationship, Roddy Llewellyn has periodically resurfaced in public and media discourse, especially in portrayals and dramatizations of the royal family (for instance, he is depicted in The Crown series).

Still, his focus remained largely on gardening, design, and media rather than overt political or royal courtly roles.

Personality, Themes & Public Image

Some key traits and recurring themes in Llewellyn’s life and public persona:

• Passion for plants & nature
  Gardening is not just a profession but a lifelong calling. He has often emphasized how experiencing the growth of plants since childhood felt magical to him.

• Resilience amid scandal
  Although his relationship with Princess Margaret overshadowed much public perception, Llewellyn managed to sustain a professional identity rooted in horticulture instead of being defined purely by that association.

• Blending aristocratic heritage and grassroots interest
  As a baronet with social standing, he could have remained in ceremonial roles — yet he cultivated a hands-on career in landscape design and gardening writing.

• Media adaptability
  He transitioned between writing, lecturing, TV presenting, and design, reaching audiences across print and broadcast forms.

• Personal reflection & modesty
  In interviews, he often reflects on childhood, parenthood, and the quieter influences in his life (e.g. his nanny, gardens) more than on fame or scandal.

Notable Quotes & Reflections

Roddy Llewellyn is not widely quoted as a stylized philosopher, but from interviews and writings, some lines stand out:

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

In an interview: on his childhood, he recalled how his nanny gave him seeds when he was age three, and how planting them created “magic” for him.

When asked about embarrassment from his public relationship, he once expressed regret: “I much regret any embarrassment caused to Her Majesty the Queen and the royal family … whom I wish to express the greatest respect, admiration and loyalty.”

These remarks reflect his humility, his deep bond with the natural world, and the sensitivity he maintained toward public and private stakes.

Lessons & Insights from Roddy Llewellyn’s Life

1. Cultivate your true passion
   Llewellyn followed his lifelong love of gardens and plants into a career, rather than leaning entirely on inherited status or celebrity.

2. Balance public and private identity
   While public fascination can distract or distort, maintaining a core domain of authenticity (in his case, gardening and design) helps ground one’s life.

3. Adapt across media
   He moved fluidly among writing, lectures, TV, and design — showing how one can communicate expertise across formats.

4. Humility in visibility
   Despite high-profile relationships, he often chose to not capitalize on scandal for personal gain, instead letting his work speak over time.

5. Nature as refuge and teacher
   His experience suggests that connecting with gardens and plants is not just aesthetic but psychologically restorative.

Conclusion

Roddy Llewellyn’s life is multifaceted: aristocratic heritage, a widely publicized romantic connection, and a serious career in gardening, journalism, and media. Though his relationship with Princess Margaret drew much public attention, his dedication to gardens, design, and writing forms the enduring substance of his identity.

He demonstrates that even amid public scrutiny, one can sustain a genuine calling, bridge public roles and personal passions, and cultivate a legacy rooted not in scandal but in enduring work.