Seeing as I'm logged on and it's just come on the news I may as well post this.

It's just been announced Princess Margaret has died - the story's not on the BBC site yet, but it is on Sky News at: http://www.skynews.co.uk/skynews/article/0,,30000-1043538,00.html

How sad, especially for Her Majesty the Queen Mother, having to endure the death of a child at age 101!

Speaking of sad....Margaret always struck me as a very sad, lost, unfulfilled person. While she enjoyed her royal status and used it to full advantage, she seemed to be in a difficult position overshadowed between two Queens, her mother and her sister. Equally difficult for her were her attempts at romance. She was refused permission to marry her true love, Group Captain Townsend, because he was divorced. She then lived to see herself, her two nephews and niece get divorced.

From what I've read, she will be overshadowed in death as well, since her funeral will pale in comparision to that of the late Princess Diana.

I hope that she is finally at peace...something she never found in life.

Nicely put Valois,
Have to say that when I heard the news my heart went out to the Queen Mum - it must be the one thing we all dread - outliving our children. I wonder how well her physique will hold up to this one. My own Mum told me she was a shining light in Britain through WWII, let's hope she still has strength for this emotional stress. On the other hand, I think ol' Mags had a pretty good time in her own way - personally I couldn't afford the amounts of hols, fags and gin bottles so perhaps her three score years and ten weren't so bad.

Canadians follow the Royals, too...
..and with Margaret, I always felt life, perhaps, had been unfair, even though some would think her privileged!
Under the microscope at all times...unable to pursue (in those days) anything much at all without all that attention!
Not "allowed" to follow your heart...that would be an esteem killer in the first place! Who, exactly, was she supposed to be? The only time anyone payed any attention was when she screwed up, or embarrased the "family". Of course, these "embarrassments" would be nothing if you or I did them. Yes, I feel sad about Margaret's passing. Perhaps her biographers will give us more insight. Perhaps I just haven't been paying attention!

I also just heard the news about Princess Margaret and my first thought was of her mother. Apparently, she died in her sleep at 6:30 Saturday morning, after a stroke on Friday night. She was 71. I don't care who you are, to outlive your child has to be the absolute worst. My thoughts are with the family, as I'm sure millions of others are. No matter what they feel about the royal family, a death is a death, and I think she will be missed.

Prince Charles was very touching in his statement last night on the French TV. He said people didn't really realize how great she was.
I also feel that the Queen Mum must feel this terribly as to lose a child when you're well advanced in age must be awful. My own grandmother lost my aunt to a long illness at about the same age.
It's not something one expects.

The Queen Mother has vowed to be at her daughter's funeral despite being advised not to travel by her doctors. Somehow I have a feeling that this Jubilee Year will see yet another Royal death, one which will raise almost the same national feeling as that of the Diana, Princess of Wales.

Poor Margaret Rose, as Prince Charles said, she had no quality of life for the past few years and her death was a blessing.

I found some interesting quotes from the late Princess Margaret that show her wit and some insight into her psyche:

I'm the heir apparent to the heir presumptive."

"My children are not royal; they just happen to have the Queen for their aunt."

"I'm no angel, but I'm no Bo-Beep either."

"I have as much privacy as a goldfish in a bowl."

"I suppose, I'll now be known as Charley's Aunt."

"The Queen is the only person who can put on a tiara with one hand, while walking down stairs."

"Poor Lil. Nothing of your own, not even your own love affair." (to the Queen)

I find it very sad that, as of yesterday, only 100 people had signed her commemorative books in St. James Palace.

I guess it's true..money, fame and renoun do not buy happiness.