The Queen was greatly saddened by the death of her aunt, Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester.

After the Princess's marriage to Henry, Duke of Gloucester, in 1935, Princess Alice supported the work of King George VI and then The Queen over many years throughout war and peace, and despite the tragedy of the early death of her son, Prince William.

The Queen remembers with gratitude Princess Alice's service to the monarchy, and to the country.