LATER YEARS

In recent years The Princess Margaret suffered poor health, experiencing a mild stroke on 23 February 1998 whilst at her holiday home in Mustique. Later in the same year the Princess severely scalded her feet in a bathroom accident. This affected her mobility to the extent that the Princess later required support when walking and was sometimes restricted to a wheelchair. In 2000 and 2001 further strokes were diagnosed.

The Princess's poor health restricted the number of public engagements which Her Royal Highness was able to take on in her final years. The Princess nevertheless continued where possible to support the work of many of her organisations. Among her final official engagements were a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show on 21 May 2001 and the 80th birthday service of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on 10 June 2001.

The Princess's last public appearance was at the 100th birthday celebrations of HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester in December 2001.