Princess Margaret lived life
in the fast lane but her final years were nothing short of difficult.
From personal tragedy, health issues, and overall bad luck – here’s the final
years of Princess Margaret’s life. Let’s start with her personal life. After Princess
Margaret’s marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960, everything seemed to be going swimmingly.
For a while, the two were at the center of London's high society. They rubbed shoulders with
musicians, attended film premieres and concerts, and by all accounts were the most sought-after
hosts throwing the most coveted parties in town. "When the people are ugly and dull. These
people were amusing and attractive!" Despite all of the glamor, behind the scenes, Margaret's union to Armstrong-Jones began to
come apart at the seams. Eventually, she was caught having an affair in 1973 with Roderic
Llewellyn, who was 18 years younger than her. In 1974, Margaret allegedly suffered a
nervous breakdown due to her failing marriage, which reportedly resulted in her family
planting a bug in her room to keep tabs on her. Multiple reports also surfaced
that the princess attempted suicide after she sought help for depression.
As Princess Margaret revealed: "I was so exhausted because of everything
that all I wanted to do was sleep. And I did, right through to the following afternoon." After the affair and her
divorce to Armstrong-Jones, Margaret's health reportedly took a
significant turn for the worse. In 1978, Margaret was diagnosed with pneumonia
while she was in the South Pacific. Her condition was drastic enough that she was
airlifted to a hospital in neighboring Sydney, Australia. Just two years later, she was back in
the hospital to have a benign skin lesion removed. While smoking was common back then, the princess’
choice smokes were Chesterfield cigarettes and she often paired them with a whisky or gin beverage
according to WalesOnline. However, due in part to her habits, Margaret developed laryngitis,
pneumonia, and bronchitis throughout her life. Such a history of health issues
plagued with heavy smoking and drinking caught up with Princess Margaret by
the 1990s. In the first half of the decade, she was once again hospitalized
with pneumonia and transported to King Edward VII Hospital after residing with
friends just outside of the city of London. Throughout the decade, Margaret started residing
at her property in the Caribbean far more than in England, maintaining her partying ways and causing
a bit of an uproar among the British public while doing so. But in 1998, things came to a halt
when the princess survived her first stroke. After three weeks at her Caribbean
property on the island of Mustique, Margaret was enjoying a meal with friends when she first started feeling off and her head was
hurting, according to The New York Times. Her headaches were followed by dizziness, and
then by pains in her chest. She was transported to a hospital in nearby Barbados to get the
all-clear to fly back to England. Margaret experienced a mild stroke and gave
up smoking for a time. She appeared in rather good spirits when she
was spotted leaving the hospital, walking to the car on her own but refusing
to comment to clamoring reporters. "Thank you. Everyone, back inside." Margaret was back at her holiday home
in Mustique just a year following her stroke when she seriously scalded
her feet getting into a hot bath. The news was confirmed by a palace
spokesperson who told the press: "She was seen by a local doctor in Mustique, and
came back to London a week after the accident. She is now recuperating at Windsor, but
these things do take some time to heal.” Adding that the princess was
staying positive amid the accident, the palace spokesperson further noted that
Margaret was being aided by a nurse during her recovery. The accident left Margaret
unable to walk for a period of time, and questions about the incident and what
truly happened have remained unanswered. By January 2001, Princess Margaret suffered
yet another stroke. At the time, Margaret was transported once again to King Edward VII Hospital
after she stopped eating. Her lack of appetite was connected to a possible second stroke, and
she remained at the hospital for observation. Speaking to the BBC after visiting his aunt,
the then-Prince Charles told reporters that despite the health scare, Margaret
was making daily improvements and had even started eating meals here and
there. It was rather a sight to behold, as Charles had his arm in a sling after
fracturing his shoulder — the royals certainly looked like they were worse for
wear. As Charles revealed to the press: "She is coming on very well — she's much better.” The BBC further noted at the time that
Charles was the highest-ranking member of the royal family to travel to the hospital
to see Margaret. Her daughter Lady Sarah Chatto was also seen visiting the princess,
bringing along her children Samuel and Arthur. Unlike Charles, Sarah did not comment on her mother's condition or improvement. The
only other rumbling came from doctors, who stated through the palace that Margaret
was not considered a critical case. "I don’t like the sound of that cough." 'It’s fine." "But you’ve been struggling
with your chest for awhile." Just two months later, the princess was back in
the hospital after suffering a third stroke. In March 2001, Margaret developed similar symptoms
as her previous stroke when she was hospitalized, traveling once again to King Edward VII
Hospital to receive around-the-clock care. After receiving the all-clear from doctors,
Margaret was allowed to travel back to her home in Kensington Palace. A statement from
palace officials released at the time read: "It will be some while before the extent
of her recovery can be determined. She is happy to stay among her own things where
she is comfortable and among her family." In the aftermath of the stroke, the health
incident was officially noted as a minor attack, but the impacts of the third stroke certainly
showed themselves with time. Margaret's function on her left side was impacted by her third stroke
as well as her vision, and she required consistent nursing care at home. It was also alleged that
the princess became incredibly distant after her third stroke, rarely leaving her bed and
denying both food and the company of others. In the last years of her life, Princess
Margaret did not radiate the same kind of energy that she was so often known for.
Instead, she was rarely spotted in public, and relied on the use of a wheelchair. But
in early 2002 — the princess suffered yet another stroke, this time with very
little room for the royals to cover up its seriousness. The Buckingham
Palace released a statement saying: "Princess Margaret suffered a further
stroke yesterday afternoon. She developed cardiac problems during the night and was
taken from Kensington Palace to The King Edward VII Hospital at 2.30am. Lord
Linley and Lady Sarah were with her, and the queen was kept fully
informed throughout the night." The news, though tragic, did not come as a
huge surprise to the British public. Many newspapers had jumped on the Margaret health
bandwagon, reporting that her isolation from public royal life was due to her ongoing
health issues, both physical and mental. Princess Margaret’s fourth stroke would
be her last. It was with immense sorrow that Queen Elizabeth announced to
the British press and public that her younger sister Princess Margaret died due
to complications of a stroke on February 9, 2002. A statement from the Buckingham Palace read: "The Queen, with great sadness, has asked for the
following announcement to be made immediately. Her beloved sister, Princess Margaret, died peacefully
in her sleep this morning at 6.30am, in The King Edward VII Hospital. Her children, Lord Linley
and Lady Sarah Chatto, were at her side." At just 71 years old, Margaret's life
had caught up to her. In the immediate aftermath of her death, Margaret was mourned
by those near and far, with then-Prime Minister Tony Blair releasing a statement mourning
the loss according to The New York Times. The country of Scotland significantly
mourned Margaret's passing, with the Scottish secretary Helen Liddell stating: "I deeply regret the death of Princess
Margaret and send my condolences to Her Majesty the Queen Mother and
Princess Margaret's two children.” Her words were echoed by
first minister Jack McConnell, who also shared the sentiment that Scotland
will be “saddened” by Princess Margaret’s death. McConnell noted that she served her
country valiantly and sent his regards. Princess Margaret’s funeral was held on the 50th
anniversary of her father's own state funeral. Margaret requested to be cremated —
a rarity among the royal family — and a private funeral service was
held in the wake of her death. About 450 people, a mix of family, friends, and official guests traveled to St. George's
Chapel on the Windsor Castle property to pay tribute to the princess, but the streets,
naturally, were lined with public mourners. As she requested to be cremated, Margaret's ashes were later placed in a
casket and she was laid to rest alongside other late members of the royal family in
the official vault at St. George's Chapel. Her friend’s defense
death, many reports tied her health issues
and ultimate passing to her smoking and drinking habits, both of which were
heavily documented throughout her life. "That came out wrong, I didn’t
mean I’m a… ‘vice queen’." Her close friends, however, were having
none of that and came out swinging to defend the princess. Close confidants
came out in full force in the weeks after Margaret's death to defend her honor and
tell the press that the princess indulged in life's frivolities like anyone else. One
friend of hers revealed to The Guardian: "So many of the assessments of the princess have
completely missed the point. They rely upon the unwillingness of her friends to speak out on
her behalf. I have seen far too much suggesting that Margaret was an unashamed hedonist who spent
her life partying. It truly misunderstands her." Acknowledging that the late royal
did indulge in drinking and smoking, the same friend argued that such habits were
normalized in Margaret's day and age, asserting: "I don't believe she was addicted to alcohol.
It's preposterous. She just got very used to it.”
