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Her Royal Highness
The Princess Margaret Rose
Countess of Snowdon
1930 - 2002

See also

Proclamation of Queen Elizabeth II The Royal Windsor History Zone
State Visits in Windsor The Royal Windsor Home Page

Royal Funerals Index

Princess Margaret Rose was born on 21 August 1930 at Glamis Castle, younger sister to Princess Elizabeth, (HM Queen Elizabeth II). Princess Margaret died in London on 9th February 2002. She was the younger daughter of The Duke and Duchess of York, later to become King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother following the Abdication Crisis of 1936. Glamis was the Scottish home of her grandparents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore.

Family Group

George VI and Queen Elizabeth with Elizabeth and Margaret (seated on the wall)
at the Little House "Y Bwthyn Bach" - a gift from the people of Wales

Princess Margaret had particularly close ties with, and affection for, Windsor as she spent much of her time here as a child after her father became George VI. One can imagine that the open spaces of Windsor Great Park, and the private areas around Royal Lodge, especially the Little House "Y Bwthyn Bach", would have been idyllic for the two sisters as they grew up. During the war, they spent much time at Windsor Castle (apparently The Crown Jewels were kept here too, in the dungeons for safe keeping, wrapped in newspaper!) and Princess Margaret described in an interview how a bomb fell close by as they too took shelter in the dungeons. There was this great explosion, and everyone around her turned pink, not white with fear, to her great surprise!
The sisters were quite different in temperament, the older Princess Elizabeth being the more 'responsible' and Margaret a much more boisterous, 'sparky', willful and mischievous girl, who enjoyed making those around her laugh. Princess Margaret was closely involved with The Girl Guides from childhood, and she remained in contact with the friends that she made for many years thereafter. Margaret has said that she was disappointed not to have been able to join the Armed Services during the war, and could not understand why she was not wanted - at the age of 12!
Princess Margaret also told how, whilst at Buckingham Palace during the victory celebrations at the end of the war, both she and Elizabeth joined the massive crowds outside in The Mall, chanting for an appearance by the King and Queen. When they failed to appear, the two princesses sent word into the Palace that it really was time that the King and Queen appeared on the famous balcony, which they did shortly thereafter to huge cheers.
It is a sign of their times that in those days the two sisters were able to mingle with the crowds during those happy celebrations.
Another example of the times when security was really not an issue, was when the Royal Family regular made appearances at The Royal Windsor Horse Show. Indeed, the two princesses were even competitors! In the photograph below, perhaps 1943, the two princesses are seen driving a small phaeton. Elizabeth is driving with her sister beside her and a groom sitting behind. George VI and Queen Elizabeth were present and presented the prizes. The Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret are believed to have come third.

Princesses at Horse Show

The two princesses competing at The Royal Windsor Horse Show in the 1940s

The funeral of Princess Margaret has been held at St George's Chapel, Windsor, on Friday 15th February at 3.00pm, 50 years to the day since the funeral of her father, King George VI.

The hearse bearing her coffin left St James Palace in London at 5.15pm on Thursday 14th, arriving in Windsor at 6.45pm.

The hearse bearing Princess Margaret's coffin arrives in darkness at Windsor.

Her funeral was a private service, for family and friends. The Order of the Service has been published here.

HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, was present although she was not in the best of health. The Queen Mother had been staying at Sandringham but travelled by helicopter to Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park on Thursday, 14th February. Royal Lodge is close to The Copper Horse, at the end of the Long Walk, and has been used since the early 1930s by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother whenever she came to stay at Windsor. Seven weeks later The Queen Mother was to die at Royal Lodge, on March 30th 2002.

 

Queen Mother travels to St George's Chapel

HRH Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, on her way from Royal Lodge to St George's Chapel, at 2.50pm, passing down the Long Walk.

The Hearse bearing Princess Margaret 01

The hearse bearing Princess Margaret's coffin crosses Alma Road on its way to Slough Crematorium

The Hearse bearing Princess Margaret 02

The hearse continues its journey along Clarence Road

Princess Margaret was cremated at Slough Crematorium. Her ashes were placed in the Royal Vault in St George's Chapel, later being moved to the Vault of King George VI, her father, at the interment of The Queen Mother.

Princess Margaret with The Duchess of York

Princess Margaret pictured here in blue with The Duchess of York at Duke's Lane.
The Royal Party transfer here to open landaus for the traditional ride to Royal Ascot Races.

We have received the following message with which many other Windsorians will concur.

Our family wish to convey to Her Majesty the Queen, Her Majesty The Queen Mother, the family of H.R.H The Princess Margaret and the other members of the Royal Family, our sympathy in the loss of such a close member of the family.

We grew up in a time when pictures of the two little princesses and later the two beautiful princesses brought delight to us all. Many of us kept scrap books with cuttings of all the special occasions and we feel that we belonged to kinder times.

We are grateful for the dedication shown by the Royal Family and rejoice in their fortune and share their sadness in times of adversity.

The Pownall Family

A Short Biography of Princess Margaret
is available at www.royal.gov.uk


On the morning of the announcement of the death of Princess Margaret, the following message was posted on the Home Page of The Royal Windsor Web Site.

9th February 2002. It has been announced that Princess Margaret, sister to HM Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 71. The residents of Windsor extend their deepest sympathies to Her Majesty The Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and members of the Royal Family.


See also

Proclamation of Queen Elizabeth II The Royal Windsor History Zone
State Visits in Windsor The Royal Windsor Home Page

Royal Funerals Index



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