Tributes pour in for Princess Margaret
Tributes to Princess Margaret began pouring in within minutes of the announcement of her death today.
Prince Charles, who is staying with friends in Chatsworth, Derbyshire, was said to be ‘‘deeply saddened’’ by the news, as were his sons Princes William and Harry.
A spokesman for St James’s Palace said: ‘‘The Prince of Wales is deeply saddened by the death of Princess Margaret. He was informed immediately.’’
Speaking on his plane on his way to Sierra Leone today, the Prime Minister Tony Blair said: ‘‘I’m deeply saddened to hear of the death of Princess Margaret. My thoughts are with the Queen, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and the rest of the Royal Family at this time.’’
Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith said: ‘‘I am deeply saddened by this morning’s announcement that Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret died in hospital.
‘‘An active member of the royal family and a strong servant of her country, she will be sorely missed.
‘‘Our deepest sympathy and condolences go to Her Majesty the Queen, the Queen Mother and the rest of the royal family at this sad time.’’
A statement from the office of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor said: ‘‘The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has written to the Queen to express his sadness and deepest sympathy at the death of her sister Princess Margaret.
‘‘His thoughts and prayers and those of the whole Catholic community are with all the members of the Royal Family and especially Viscount Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto at this very sad time.’’
Close friend Lord St John of Fawsley said: ‘‘The death of Princess Margaret is not only a personal loss to her many devoted friends but an impoverishment of our national life.
‘‘She was a multi-faceted and brilliant person with an underlying simplicity and strength.
‘‘She intrigued and fascinated generation after generation. She was devoted to the Queen and the monarchy. All her life she performed her royal duties with skill and she enjoyed them. She was a true professional.
‘‘She was also highly intelligent and one of the cleverest women I have ever known, and one of the most theologically minded. She was a staunch supporter of the Church of England.
‘‘She derived great pleasure and comfort from her children, who were model members of the Royal Family. She loved and delighted in her grandchildren.
‘‘After a turbulent life she had come into port some years ago and had achieved happiness and serenity until this cruel illness struck her down.
‘‘She was a generous and life-giving friend. She always retained her capacity for enjoyment and joie de vivre.
‘‘She was unique and loyal and a very dear friend and her friendship has been one of the great privileges of my life, for which I give thanks.’’
