Still, Viscount Linley (also known as Lord Linley, David Linley, and now David Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon) and his sister Lady Sarah Chatto had a hefty tax bill to pay on what remained of their mother's estate. The pair inherited the bulk of Princess Margaret's assets, which totaled 7.7 million pounds, or $10.4 million. The inheritance tax on the estate was roughly 40%, so Lord Linley and Lady Chatto had to cough up nearly 3 million pounds, or more than $4 million (via the Evening Standard).
To raise the much-needed cash, Princess Margaret's children auctioned off 800 of her belongings through Christie's auction house in 2006 (via The Guardian). A portion of the sales also went to charity, including the Stroke Association's Princess Margaret Fund that was established by her son. One of the most notable items was the Poltimore Tiara, which was made for Lady Poltimore in 1870 and was worn by Princess Margaret on several occasions, including her wedding to Lord Snowdon. Not everyone in the family thought the auction was a great idea. According to The Guardian, Lord Snowdon was allegedly upset about some auction items and reportedly challenged his children's right to sell them. They found a way to settle the matter privately, and the auction went forward, bringing in nearly 14 million pounds, or close to $19 million, according to Tatler magazine.
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