Prince William’s ‘wish’ was ‘listened to by Queen’ says insider
Tomorrow will mark 19 years since the Queen’s sister Margaret died aged 71. Margaret, who was four years younger than the Queen, played a key role in royal life through the years. She was also one of the more controversial royals, being the first to get divorced since Henry VIII, and was known for her party lifestyle and risque jokes.
Sadly, Margaret suffered a long period of ill health including a lung operation, pneumonia and three strokes before a fourth stroke that took her life.
She died in King Edward VII’s Hospital in London on February 9, 2002.
The Queen Mother died just seven weeks after her younger daughter, aged 101.
She passed away in her sleep at The Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park with the Queen by her bedside.
READ MORE: Lord Mountbatten’s murder ‘backfired on IRA’ after lost US support
Prince William missed the thanksgiving service marking 10 years since Margaret’s death (Image: GETTY)
Prince Harry and Princess Anne arriving at the thanksgiving service for Margaret and the Queen Mothe (Image: GETTY)
The two deaths must have been heartbreaking for the Queen, who was very close to both of them.
During a royal thanksgiving service at St George’s Chapel in 2012, a moment was taken to remember the Queen’s mother and sister.
The ceremony marked the tenth anniversary of their deaths and a short memorial was held amid the festivities of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were in attendance, as was Princess Anne.
Prince Harry kissing Margaret’s family at the thanksgiving service for Margaret and the Queen Mother (Image: GETTY)
Prince Harry was also there and was spotted greeting members of Margaret’s family with kisses.
However, noticeably absent were Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, who were on a skiing holiday at the time.
Zara Tindall and her husband Mike were also missing, as were Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn, although the latter pair had a good excuse as Autumn had just given birth to the couple’s second child.
During the ceremony, the Dean of Windsor, the Right Reverend David Conner said both Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother “significantly enriched” the lives of those present.
DON’T MISS
Meghan accused of ‘pouring petrol on fire’ in Archie row with Palace [EXPERT]
Prince Andrew’s friend accused of ‘sugar coating’ Epstein scandal [INSIGHT]
Camilla’s surprising ‘nod to Princess Diana’ in royal recommendation [REVEALED]
Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother in 2000 (Image: GETTY)
He said: “Each of us here this morning will cherish some special personal memories.
“Rightly such memories should be harboured securely and discreetly in our own hearts and minds.
“But there are also common themes in our remembering which should be shared openly.
“Mostly surely amongst them will be the faithfulness that characterised the lives of both Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret ‒ faithfulness to family and friends, faithfulness to the nation and Commonwealth.”
Queen: Princess Margaret was childhood ‘companion’ says expert
Princess Margaret married Anthony Armstrong-Jones in 1960, but the pair divorced in 1978.
Her ex-husband, Lord Snowdon, died peacefully at his home in Kensington in 2017 aged 86.
They had two children: David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon, 59, and Lady Sarah Chatto, 56, who each have two children themselves.
The Queen’s relationship with her sister is a key theme of the Netflix series The Crown.
Margaret, played by Helena Bonham Carter, is portrayed as being jealous of her sister, played by Olivia Coleman.
This is reportedly backed up by real life accounts of their relationship, with royal biographer Sarah Bradford claiming Margaret was “subconsciously jealous” and that the Queen had everything she wanted: a handsome husband, children and the Crown.
Nevertheless, the sisters remained close through their lives and her loss would have been devastating for Her Majesty.
