Condolence books fill with thoughts of those she knew

THROUGHOUT yesterday and this morning, scores of people have travelled to St James's Palace to sign books of condolence for Princess Margaret.

The books are laid out on large tables draped in black cloth in one of the Palace's state apartments. Those arriving are asked to keep their entries succinct: most write just their name and address; a few also add short personal messages of sympathy.

By this morning the entries in each book were running to several pages. The addresses listed cover every continent. A high proportion of those who have attended are in their sixties or seventies, having grown up with Margaret as a famous contemporary.

One person after another spoke of the glamour that she had brought to the post-war years and almost without exception they revealed a deep affection for Margaret.

Others were much younger and had come because they felt so sorry for the poor health that had tainted the Princess's later years.

But not all those attending had watched her life only from afar. A good number had known the Princess personally - as an indulgent Godmother, as a unusually sensitive employer or as a thoughtful congregation member. Here are some of those who knew her.

THE GODDAUGHTER

Anna Mathias, 39, mother of two, from North Kensington.

"Princess Margaret was my godmother and no one could have wished for a better one - my mother, Judy Montague, was from the same background. They knew each other as children, grew up together and they became friends in adulthood and enjoyed the same social set before they both married.

"I saw her very often as a child. She wasn't just around for birthdays but took a full and active part in my upbringing, particularly after my mother died in 1972, when I was nine and ever since - though in recent years when she was so ill I did see less of her.

"She would take me on holidays every year, usually to Italy, where my father lived. She was a wonderful godmother, very kind.

"She was also very important to me in encouraging my faith, particularly around the time of my confirmation: Margaret was a woman of great religious conviction and she set a good example to me. Her involvement ment that the process of being confirmed was not at all difficult for me.

"She always gave me good advice and helped me at difficult or important times of my life. I remember after I introduced my husband, Charles, to her before we were married that I felt so happy about the future when it was clear that Margaret liked him and approved of our plans. We married at Hatfield House in 1995 and Margaret played a really important role in the wedding. It was a great honour to have her there on that day.

"It wasn't a surprise when we learned of her death because obviously she had been very ill but it was very, very sad and I know I will really miss her."

THE ROYAL COACH DRIVER'S NIECE

Sheila Grover, 70, retired secretary from Dunstable, Beds.

"My uncle, whose name was Albert Stringer, drove the coach on the day Princess Margaret married. My mother and I went down to The Mall to see the procession going past. There were big crowds and it was thrilling to think that someone from our family was involved.

"It was May 1960 and it was very hot, like a summer day. Albert was sitting on top of the coach looking very grand. The Princess looked lovely but then she always was a great beauty, really glamorous, a true star.

"Later, after Albert retired, the Royal Family really looked after him. He had a little mews flat in Windsor and they used to take great interest in him. Prince Philip would give him any winnings he had from his carriage driving and Albert would take them to bingo. Then he had a personal tragedy: his daughter who had gone to Canada was murdered. This was in the Sixties, I think. The Royal Family were fantastic. Margaret in particular was really supportive. She would call in on Albert and take tea with him. He never forgot the kindness she showed him then."

THE CHURCH WORSHIPPER

Eileen Lowe, 74, retired nursing sister from Holland Park.

"I met Princess Margaret relatively late in her life as we both worshipped at the Queen's Chapel of Savoy in The Strand - but for the last 10 years I saw her there many times and each time it was a thrill. She had been so famous, such a presence in all our lives for so long. But she was also a very spiritual lady and I think there was a depth in her that wasn't always widely appreciated but when you met her you could certainly perceive it.

"She was a very good person and a great example to people. She could inspire people and I know she inspired me.

"My favourite story about Princess Margaret concerns a homeless man who used to go into the chapel. He met her there and she was kind and comforting to him. Later he sent a note to her to thank her for this kindness and Margaret went out of her way to write a card back to him. That attention will help him for the rest of his life, maybe even help him put his life back on the rails.

There was that Christian, thoughtful side to her that not many people were aware of."

THE MARGARET FAN

George Sands, 67, writer from Westminster.

"I only met Princess Margaret once but I'll always remember the impression she made on me. It was November 1966. I was a student only recently arrived in London from Lagos, Nigeria, when I was introduced to her at a reception for academics from the Commonwealth.

"I have since changed my name but at the time I still used my African name, George Ayanlaja, and that was how I was introduced to her. The name is a tribal one whose meaning concerns messages being sent in the jungle. To my astonishment, the Princess not only pronounced my name correctly - she was the first European woman who had ever done this - but also knew something of its origins. I was speechless, and to this day don't know how she had found this information.

But naturally it made me very fond of her and although I never met her again I always have had the highest regard for her. It is tremendously sad that she is no longer with us."

THE BUCKINGHAM PALACE WAITRESS

Maria Milillo, 86, a retired waitress from Westminster.

"In the Fifties and Sixties I worked at many parties, at Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, Windsor and so on. During the course of that work I met the Princess several times.

When I was introduced to her it was thrilling.

Obviously I didn't know her well but I shall always remember her. She had a sort of charisma that made her stand out.

"She was very famous indeed but she didn't put on airs - she was always interested in us and would ask after us in such a way that it was as though we were the ones whose lives were interesting. She was very, very well regarded and the staff were all very fond of her."

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