Content warning: The following article contains language describing substance use, mental health challenges, and suicide.
One of the most trailblazing members of the royal family was Queen Elizabeth’s younger sisterPrincess Margaret.
Margaret and Townsend eventually went their separate ways, but the heartbreak is just as palpable today.
Margaret’s life did not emerge into a new sense of love and dedication with her newfound romance.
After seeking help for depression, multiple reports surfaced that the princess attempted suicide.
“And I did, right through to the following afternoon.”
In 1978, Margaret was diagnosed with pneumonia while she was in the South Pacific (via theBBC).
Her condition was drastic enough that she was airlifted to a hospital in neighboring Sydney, Australia.
Just two years later, she was back in the hospital to have a benign skin lesion removed.
By 1951, the king’s health had declined in part due to his smoking.
By February 1952, the king died at the age of 56.
This did not deter his daughter Margaret from picking up the habit herself, however.
Though test results came back and the tissue was benign, Margaret did not give up but continued smoking.
Her habit even skyrocketed the year prior when she quit drinking for a period of time.
But in 1998, things came to a halt when the princess survived her first stroke.
The princess made it known that her head was starting to hurt.
Her headaches were followed by dizziness, and then by pains in her chest (viaThe Guardian).
She was transported to a hospital in nearby Barbados to get the all-clear to fly back to England.
Margaret experienced a mild stroke and gave up smoking for a time.
In 1999, a London newspaper claimed that she was incredibly sick and required around-the-clock care.
Soon after the report hit the stands, theBBC’sroyal correspondent Nicholas Witchell negated the claim.
“She is coming on very well she’s much better,” Charles said (via theBBC).
Unlike Charles, Sarah did not comment on her mother’s condition or improvement.
Margaret had a third stroke in March 2001
The year 2001 started off poorly for Princess Margaret.
After receiving the all-clear from doctors, Margaret was allowed to travel back to her home in Kensington Palace.
She is happy to stay among her own things where she is comfortable and among her family."
“Princess Margaret suffered a further stroke yesterday afternoon.
The news, though tragic, did not come as a huge surprise to the British public.
Her children, Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto, were at her side.”
To say that 2002 ushered in a horrific few weeks for the royal family is a serious understatement.
She served her country well over many years.
Our sympathy and thoughts are with the Queen and Princess Margaret’s family at this sad time. "
Though he didn’t explicitly mention her substance use, Charles did dance around the issue.
Her close friends, however, were having none of that and came out swinging to defend the princess.
“They rely upon the unwillingness of her friends to speak out on her behalf.
I have seen far too much suggesting that Margaret was an unashamed hedonist who spent her life partying.
It truly misunderstands her.”
“I don’t believe she was addicted to alcohol.
She just got very used to it,” the friend asserted.
