Was Princess Margaret’s Funeral Televised? A Look at a Private Royal Farewell

Princess Margaret’s funeral, held on February 15th, 2002, was a deliberately private affair, contrasting sharply with the highly public funeral of Princess Diana five years earlier. While television crews were present, their access was limited, reflecting the Princess’s wishes for a more intimate farewell. This article explores the events of the day and answers the question: Was Princess Margaret’s funeral televised?

A Quiet Ceremony in Windsor

The funeral service took place at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, the same location where her father, King George VI, was laid to rest 50 years prior. Around 450 mourners attended the service, including the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and other members of the Royal Family. Hundreds of well-wishers gathered outside the castle walls, but the ceremony itself remained largely hidden from public view.

Cremation: A Royal Departure from Tradition

Following the service, Princess Margaret’s coffin was taken to Slough Crematorium for a municipal cremation, a relatively unusual choice for a senior member of the Royal Family. This decision, reportedly a long-held wish of the Princess, echoed the choice made by one of Queen Victoria’s daughters in 1939. While not entirely unprecedented, it marked a departure from traditional royal burial practices. Her ashes were later interred in the Royal Vault at St. George’s Chapel, near her father.

Limited Television Coverage

While television cameras documented the arrival and departure of mourners and the procession to the crematorium, the funeral service itself was not televised. The public glimpsed the hearse carrying the coffin draped in the Princess’s standard, but the ceremony inside St. George’s Chapel remained private. This limited coverage reflected the Princess’s desire for a more personal and less public farewell.

Contrasting with Diana’s Funeral

The restrained nature of Princess Margaret’s funeral stood in stark contrast to the highly publicized funeral of Princess Diana in 1997. While Diana’s funeral was a global event televised to millions, Margaret’s service was a much more intimate occasion, attended by a smaller group of family and friends. This difference highlighted the distinct personalities of the two princesses and their individual preferences for how they were remembered.

A Private Farewell for a Public Figure

Princess Margaret’s funeral, though attended by royalty and observed by well-wishers, was ultimately a private affair. The limited television coverage reflected the Princess’s wishes and offered a more intimate glimpse into the Royal Family’s grief. While not a public spectacle, the event was a significant moment in royal history, marking the passing of a unique and often controversial figure. The day was a quiet farewell, allowing family and close friends to mourn in peace.