Princess Margaret Dies

BBC.com ^ | Saturday, 9 February, 2002, 08:56 GMT | staff

[badfreeper]

Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, has died "peacefully in her sleep" at the age of 71. In a statement Buckingham Palace said: "The Queen, with great sadness, has asked for the following announcement to be made immediately.

"Her beloved sister, Princess Margaret, died peacefully in her sleep this morning at 6.30am in the King Edward VII Hospital."

Her children Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto were at her side at the London hospital.

Princess Margaret, who has suffered several strokes in recent years, suffered a further stroke on Friday afternoon.

She developed cardiac problems during the night and was taken from Kensington Palace to the hospital at 0230GMT.

She was born Margaret Rose on 21 August, 1930, at Glamis Castle in Scotland, the ancestral home of her mother's family.

Margaret was last seen in public before Christmas at Princess Alice, the Dowager Duchess of Gloucester's 100th birthday party.

She was confined to a wheelchair and wore heavy dark glasses, her sight having been affected by a stroke. Margaret's face also appeared puffy, understood to be the effects of medication.

© MMII

[Redcloak]

Isn't this very nearly the anniversary of her father's death 50 years ago?

[badfreeper]

Yes, the Diamond Jubilee of HRH Queen Elizabeth II was this week, which marked the 50th anniversary of her coronation after the death of their father.

[Texas Gal]

Here's a link to a picture of her.

[flitton]

It wasn't actually her coronation. Her father died
50years ago this week which was when she acceded to
the throne. The coronation took place later. This
year is her golden jubilee, 60 years is the diamond
jubilee so far only Queen Victoria has managed that. It'll be interesting to see if this affects the jubilee celebrations though.

[DoughtyOne]

Well, can't say as I was a fan of the Princess, but in sympathy to Britain and the Queen, I'm sorry to hear this.

[Rain-maker]

[badfreeper]

Sorry, my mistake. Thanks for clarification.

[Chemist_Geek]

It'll be interesting to see if this affects the jubilee celebrations though.

It can't help but cast a dark pall over the planned celebration. I'd send my condolences, such as they are, to Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of her Family. How sad, that a wonderful jubilee would be darkened by this...

[JohnHuang2]

Well, can't say as I was a fan of the Princess, but in sympathy to Britain and the Queen, I'm sorry to hear this.

I want to echo your sentiments, DoughtyOne...sorry to hear this, too.

[truthkeeper]

Peace be with her.

[ken5050]

Whoever would of thought that the Queen Mum would survived her yougest daughter..

[Huck]

I guess it's my American upbringing, but I can't help thinking anyone hanging on to royal title should be ashamed of themselves.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

...MARGARET -&- TOWNSEND = Together Again...

[Rain-maker]

Strange Irony, the Queen Mum has outlived many royals...

[Rain-maker]

Shhhh...JFK's Camelot might here you

[dougherty]

I am so sorry to hear this. I really like the Royal Family, and I would never have imagined Princess Margaret would outlive Diana, and the Queen Mother would end up outliving both Diana And Princess Margaret.

[FrdmLvr]

Besides, I think it's kind of nice to have some cultures that revere tradition. We got away from it, and while freedom is wonderful, it's also bought us a very vulgar, uncouth society.

You are so right. But I think we could have had our freedom and still maintained high standards of decency and decorum. We had an American culture that maintained those high standards for nearly 200 years. It deteriorated quickly beginning in the 60's.

[MadRobotArtist]

Actually, it started in the late 40's. After we imported all those Nazi and Russian spooks into our country, things started to get weird. You can thank them for creating our current police state.