The Princess was educated at home with her sister, The Queen. She learned to ride, enjoyed swimming and became a keen gardener. She had a strong interest in music from an early age, taking piano lessons by the age of four and later becoming an accomplished pianist.

In 1937 she joined the Brownies, and when she was old enough enlisted in the Girl Guides. She always maintained close links with Guiding, and, until her death, served as President and Chairman of the Council of the Girl Guides Association. In childhood during the Second World War she also became a Sea Ranger and, in 1949, was appointed their Commodore.

When she was five years old The Princess attended the Jubilee of her grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary. Less than two years later came her second great State occasion, her parents' Coronation in Westminster Abbey. Princess Margaret began to carry out public engagements at a very young age; one early appointment was as Patron of the Scottish Children's League (becoming President in 1966). In 1947 she accompanied the King and Queen and Princess Elizabeth on their South African tour.