12 February 2004

PRINCESS MARGARET: FUNERAL SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

The coffin of Her Royal Highness The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon will remain in The Queen's Chapel until Thursday 14th February, to enable her family and friends to pay their respects privately.  In the late afternoon of Thursday 14th February, The Princess's coffin will be taken to St George's Chapel, Windsor, where it will remain in the Chapel overnight.

The Funeral Service of Her Royal Highness The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon will take place at 3pm on Friday 15th February and will be led by the Dean of Windsor, The Right Reverend David Conner.  Following the funeral, The Princess will be cremated at Slough Crematorium.

The Princess's casket will then rest in the Royal Vault, at St George's Chapel, Windsor.

Note to editors

The Royal Vault was created between 1804-10, at the behest of George III.  Sovereigns buried in the Royal Vault, St George's Chapel, are George III (died 1820), George IV (died 1830) and William IV (died 1837).

Others buried there include George III's wife Queen Charlotte and their daughter Princess Amelia, George IV's daughter Princess Charlotte, and Queen Victoria's father the Duke of Kent.

To be released at 1200hrs GMT Tuesday 12th February, 2002.