Heir to the throne on death of his aunt
Uploader: AP Archive
Original upload date: Fri, 24 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT
Archive date: Wed, 24 Nov 2021 22:38:40 GMT
(9 Feb 2002)
1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Britain's Prince Charles
"This is a terribly sad day for all my family, but particularly of course for the Queen, my mama, and my grandmother, the Queen Mother,
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and also for Princess Margaret's children, David and Sarah, and also my aunt's wonderful friends who, like all of us, miss her deeply.
My darling aunt had such dreadful times in the past few years with her awful illness and it was hard for let alone her to bear it, but for all of us as well - particularly as she had such a wonderfully free spirit. She lived life and lived it to the full and from that point of view it was even harder for everybody to witness this, and of course at this moment all our hearts go out to all those people who also have relations who have suffered from strokes and they know only too well the agony that people have to go through.
But also I think my aunt was one of those remarkable people who apart from being incredibly vital and atttractive - and of course when she was young so many people remember her for that vitality and attractiveness and indeed her incredible beauty - but she also - and I think many people don't realise this - she had such incredible talents.
I remember so well she used to play the piano incredibly well and she had an extraordinary ear. She could pick up and play by ear almost any tune and she sang like an angel, I always remember that as a child. And of course she had this wonderfully sharp mind and used to win literally cross word puzzle competitions. And I think one of the fondest memories I shall have of her was of sitting at the piano playing away with a large, very elegant cigarette holder in her mouth.
And, as I say, we shall all miss her dreadfully and dreadfully sad as death is at times like this, I think in a way for her it must have been a merciful release as many people would understand I think for someone who was such a vital and free spirit. So may I take this opportunity to, on behalf of my whole family and in particular my grandmother Queen Elizabeth, thank all those wonderful people who have already sent in their condolences and their marvellous letter of sympathy, they are so greatly appreciated."
STORYLINE:
Britain's Prince of Wales on Saturday paid tribute to his aunt, Prince Margaret, who died earlier in the day.
He said the princess had suffered a dreadful time in the last few years with an illness that was hard for her to bear.
"We will all miss her dreadfully," he said, as he spoke fondly of his "darling aunt" and her "incredibly vital" spirits.
The heir to the British throne said the royal family's hearts went out to all those who had suffered strokes and he thanked all wellwishers.
The Prince was speaking at his grandmother's Sandringham estate in Norfolk in eastern England.
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