Princess Margaret was the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II.
The cremation of Princess Margaret is a much-discussed topic in the United Kingdom, and not just because of her death in February 2002. As a member of the British royal family, Princess Margaret had to be cremated according to certain protocols and procedures that were created by Queen Victoria. The rules were changed after her death, but it’s still worth looking at why they existed in the first place.
What are the rules for royal funerals?
Princess Margaret was a member of the British royal family and as such, she had to follow specific funeral protocol when she died. This protocol is set out by Queen Victoria in Letters Patent of 1837, which stipulate that members of the royal family must be buried in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle or Westminster Abbey. The exact wording states: “We do ordain and declare that Our Most Dear Uncle King George III… shall be removed from his Royal Highness’s Palace at Windsor Castle into St George’s Chapel within Our said Castle… and there be decently interred.”
In addition to being buried at either Windsor or Westminster Abbey, members of the royal family have traditionally been given an Anglican funeral service regardless of their religious affiliations. This includes being dressed up in full regalia before being carried through London on a horse-drawn gun carriage.
Why was Princess Margaret cremated?
Princess Margaret’s funeral followed this protocol until 2002 when she passed away after suffering from a stroke. Her body was taken to St James’s Palace where it remained until her funeral on February 20th.
“At around 10am on Tuesday 17th February 2002 Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret passed away peacefully,” said Buckingham Palace spokesman David Buckett during an announcement following her death.
“Her Royal Highness will lie at St James’s Palace until Friday 19th February when her Funeral Service will take place at 11am.”
“The Funeral Service will take place at St George’s Chapel within Windsor Castle,” he continued.
The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor with other Councillors presenting Condolences on behalf
of #London, #England, #UK, @BuckinghamPalace,
