LONDON - The royal family have started a week of mourning for Princess Margaret, the Queen's sister who died at the weekend after a life of glamour and heartbreak.
Preparations are under way for the funeral on Saturday at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle where Margaret's beloved father, King George
VI, is buried.
Buckingham Palace says the funeral will be a private affair for family and friends. Downing St said Prime Minister Tony Blair would not attend, in accordance with those wishes.
Flags will fly at half mast at royal residences throughout the United Kingdom during five days of official royal mourning leading up to the funeral - 50 years to the day after King George was laid to rest.
The Times newspaper said that several years ago the Princess had planned her funeral down to the last detail, including hymns and guest list, adding she wanted "to slip away with the minimum of fuss".
During the week, Margaret's coffin will be moved from her apartments at Kensington Palace to the Queen's chapel in St James's Palace, where her body will lie in state.
Yesterday, the Queen attended a private service at the Royal Lodge chapel in the Great Park close to Windsor Castle.
At the Queen's Sandringham estate in eastern England, Prince Charles prayed for his "darling aunt" and the Queen Mother prayed for her younger daughter.
While the Queen remained at Windsor Castle, her husband, Prince Philip, worshipped at St Mary Magdalene Church near Sandringham.
The Queen Mother has been fighting a bad cold but she has told aides she is determined to attend Margaret's funeral.
A steady trickle of mourners gathered at St James's Palace to sign books of condolences. The public can also visit www.royal.gov.uk to sign an online book.
Preparations will also begin for a public memorial service.
Many of those paying their respects at St James's Palace said Margaret's independent streak had set her apart from other members of the royal family.
"She was a colourful character, not much older than myself, added a bit of spice to life with her scandals," said 57-year-old Londoner Anthea Mander Lahr.
- AGENCIES
