Why today holds sad memories for the Queen as she marks devastating family anniversary

The Queen will likely be paying tribute to her late sister, Princess Margaret, today on the sad anniversary of her death. 

• The Queen’s younger sister Princess Margaret passed away 19 years today.
• The anniversary of Princess Margaret's death comes just days after that of her father, King George VI. 
• In other Royal News, the Queen’s "very clear" message to Princess Beatrice over life-sized playhouse revealed. 

The Queen recently faced a difficult weekend, with Saturday, February 6 marking the sad passing of her father, King George VI. Whilst the monarch usually pays tribute to her late father in private at Sandringham House, this year, lockdown restrictions have meant that she was unable to travel to Norfolk for this poignant anniversary. 

Now today, just three days later, the Queen will no doubt be remembering her late sister, Princess Margaret. Princess Margaret passed away on February 9, 2002, only 7 weeks before the Queen Mother died. 

With so much family sadness this month and the ongoing effects of the pandemic proving challenging for everyone around the globe, this year the anniversary will perhaps be particularly difficult for the Queen.

How close were the Queen and Princess Margaret?

Four years younger than the Queen, Princess Margaret nevertheless played a significant role in royal life throughout the years. Speaking to Channel 5 documentary, Elizabeth: Our Queen, biographer Hugo Vickers reportedly discussed the extent of Princess Margaret’s presence in her sister’s life.

Mr. Vickers explained: "She was the companion of her childhood and she was younger than the Queen.”

"They did talk a lot, more or less every day, and she was a very, very constant presence in her life."

Whilst narrator James D'Arcy noted that the Queen and Princess Margaret’s sisterly bond had been strengthened by the sudden death of their father, King George VI, in 1952. 

Mr D'Arcy said: "Princess Margaret had always been the Queen's glamorous and mischievous sister and they were devoted to each other.”

"Growing up, the Queen's family had been a tight-knit unit, they called themselves 'us four.' After the death of their father, the two sisters became even closer.

The Queen seems to have devastated by the loss of her younger sister, as historian Dr. Kate Williams reportedly revealed that: "The loss of Margaret was really cataclysmic to the Queen. It was very, very painful.”

"The Queen did see that Margaret's health had been put under strain by what had been denied to her emotionally.”

"Margaret didn't choose to sacrifice all for the Crown because she loved the Crown above all."

"She chose it because she loved her sister above all. She wasn't sacrificing for the Crown, she was sacrificing for her sister,” Dr. Williams shared.

Princess Margaret married Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960 and the couple went on to have two children, David Armstrong-Jones, now 2nd Earl of Snowdon, and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, before divorcing in 1978. Princess Margaret’s children and grandchildren continue to play a part in Royal Family life to this day.

The Earl of Snowdon’s daughter, Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones, was a bridesmaid at the royal wedding of Prince William and Duchess Catherine, having an important role in this wonderful occasion.