Death of Princess Margaret in “The Crown”
This is how Queen Elizabeth II’s sister died.
The Queen and her sister Margaret were also very close in real life.
© imago/Avalon.red
“The Crown” shows the last days of Princess Margaret: That’s what the Queen’s sister really died of and that’s why she was cremated…
“The Crown” presented her as a party queen and unlucky lover, now she shows Netflix series Princess Margaret’s Farewell. In season six, she will be played again by Lesley Manville (67), after actresses Vanessa Kirby (35) and Helena Bonham Carter (57) had previously taken on this role. “The Crown” devotes an entire episode to Margaret’s farewell in part two of the final season, focusing on the close bond between her and her big sister, Queen Elizabeth II (played by Imelda Staunton). This is what happened in Princess Margaret’s final days in real life:
Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) and Princess Margaret (1930-2002) were very close throughout their lives until Margaret died on February 9, 2002 at the age of 71 in the King Edward VII Hospital in London. Elizabeth and Margaret’s mother, Queen Mum (1900-2002), died just seven weeks later at the age of 101.
Princess Margaret left behind two children
After her relationship with the divorced and elderly Peter Townsend (1914-1995) was disapproved of by her sister and ultimately broke up, Margaret married Antony Armstrong Jones, Earl of Snowdon (1930-2017) in 1960. The marriage ended in 1978. The two previously had two children, their son David Albert Charles was born on November 3, 1961, and daughter Lady Sarah Frances Elizabeth on May 14, 1964. They are cousins of King Charles III. (75), but do not work full-time as royals. David Armstrong-Jones is an entrepreneur and furniture designer; his sister works, among other things, as an artist.
What did Princess Margaret die of?
Between 1998 and 2001, Princess Margaret, who was a smoker for many years, suffered three strokes. She also reportedly had a nervous breakdown in the 1970s and was treated for depression. She also suffered from migraines, laryngitis, bronchitis and, in 1993, pneumonia. According to media reports, on January 5, 1985, part of her lung was removed. She gave up smoking in 1991, but reportedly continued to drink alcohol. In 2001, Margaret was no longer able to see properly due to the stroke, she was paralyzed on her left side and had to use a wheelchair.
In February 2002 it was revealed that Margaret had suffered another stroke, which was followed by heart problems. Shortly afterwards she died. The Palace said on February 9, 2002: “It is with great sadness that The Queen has requested the immediate publication of the following statement: Her beloved sister, Princess Margaret, died peacefully in her sleep at the King Edward VII Hospital at 6.30am this morning . Her children, Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto, were at her side.”
The Queen wept publicly at the funeral
During Margaret’s funeral, Queen Elizabeth II visibly cried, one of the rare occasions the monarch showed emotion in a public setting.
Queen Elizabeth’s younger sister is the only senior member of the royal family to be cremated. At her own request she was given cremation at Slough Crematorium. Her urn was buried in the grave of her parents, Queen Mum and King George VI. (1895-1952), buried in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
As the “New York Times” reported at the time, citing royal observers, Princess Margaret is said to have chosen cremation so that her ashes could be buried in the narrow space near her father’s grave. She reportedly insisted that no member of her family attend the cremation itself. Previously, around 30 members of the royal family, including the Queen, along with around 370 other guests took part in a service in honor of the deceased.