Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, has died of a stroke at the age of 71.
According to a statement released by Buckingham Palace, the Princess, who had suffered increasingly poor health in recent years, died peacefully in her sleep at King Edward VII hospital at 6:30am on Saturday morning.
“The Queen, with great sadness, has asked for the following announcement to be made known immediately: her beloved sister, the Princess Margaret, died at peace while asleep this morning at 6:30 GMT in the King Edward VII Hospital,” read the statement.
Apparently Margaret suffered a stroke on Friday afternoon and developed further cardiac problems during the night. She was taken from Kensington Palace and admitted to hospital at 2:30am. Her children Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto were at her side throughout the night.
A heavy smoker for many years, Margaret had suffered numerous respiratory illnesses and had to have part of her lung removed in 1985. In 1998 she had a mild stroke and another in March, 2001 . In recent months the woman whose glamour and social brilliance had made her one of society’s most glittering figures in her youth was confined to a wheelchair and forced to wear dark glasses, her sight having been affected by a stroke. She had not been seen in public since before Christmas.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was “deeply saddened” to hear of the Princess’ death.
The funeral is likely to be a private family affair with Margaret being laid to rest at Saint George’s Chapel in Windsor where her father King George VI is also buried.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
