Tributes are flooding in from around the globe following the death of Princess Margaret, who passed away in her sleep after suffering cardiac problems on Saturday morning. Within minutes of the announcement of her demise mourning members of the royal family and friends paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II's high-spirited and unconventional sister.
Prince Charles, who was staying with friends in Chatsworth, Derbyshire, when he was informed of his aunt's death says he is "deeply saddened" by the news, as are Princes William and Harry. Charles is currently travelling to Sandringham to be with the 101-year-old Queen Mother, to whom the sad news of her daughter's fatal stroke was broken on Saturday morning. The centenarian has remained at Sandringham since Christmas, recovering from a persistent chesty cold.
The Queen, who was at Buckingham Palace - where the union flag is flying at half-mast - has returned to Windsor Castle to discuss funeral arrangements with the Princess' children.
Princess Margaret's ex-husband, Lord Snowdon, said: "Both Lord Linley and Lady Sarah are in close touch and informed me about the Princess's death early this morning. We are all extremely saddened." The couple's children maintained an overnight vigil at the Princess’ bedside in London's King Edward VII Hospital and were with their mother when she died.
International statesmen and religious leaders have also expressed their condolences. In a telegram of sympathy sent to Queen Elizabeth, Pope John Paul II said: "Commending your sister to the God of all consolation and praying that she will find eternal rest beyond the travails of human life and frailty she knew in recent years, I invoke upon all who are mourning her loss the peace which is Jesus Christ."
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, also honoured the Queen's younger sister. "She showed great courage in the face of her troubles," he said.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is currently on an official visit to Sierra Leone, expressed his grief at Margaret's death, saying: "I know the whole country will be deeply saddened. She will be remembered with a lot of affection.
"She gave a great deal of service to the country. Our thoughts are with the Queen, the Queen Mother and all the royal family at this difficult time."
In paying tribute to the Princess, Royal biographer Christopher Warwick said: "My memories of her are of a very special lady who was extraordinary in so many ways. She was very colourful and I think the monarchy is going to be sadly at a loss. I know the Princess has been out of action for a year or more, but she was dedicated to helping her sister. There was great love between them, and her Majesty - and of course the Queen Mother - are going to be completely bereft.
"She has been perceived as a maverick. Colourful members of the royal family are few and far between. So when one like her comes along they are going to be given some label or other. It's true to say that to a certain extent she was misunderstood."
Her long-time friend and constitutional expert Lord St John of Fawsley spoke of Margaret's turbulent life. ”She was a person of such great vitality that her death comes as a particular blow and loss. I have got wonderful memories of her. She was the most beautiful debutante of her generation and she kept that beauty right through her life. She was highly intelligent. In many ways, she was one of the most intelligent women, one of the cleverest women, I have ever met, and she never really had an outlet for that intelligence. She had a turbulent life, of course, but at the close of her life – in the last decade – she had somehow 'come into port'. She was not at all unhappy."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
