THE death of Princess Margaret who was a regular visitor to Bucks has saddened some of the leading names in the county.

The Princess had visited the county several times over the years including a visit to Bourne End in 1986 to open the Alpha Numeric offices. She also visited Chalfont St Giles in the same year, and in 1990 was a guest at the Swan Theatre in High Wycombe.

Sir Nigel Mobbs, Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, said he was saddened by the news.

He added: "I knew she had been unwell for a while but we will all remember her for the very good work she did with charities throughout her life."

Martin Jourdan, who was High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire until March last year, met Princess Margaret some years ago when she attended an NSPCC ball in the county.

He said: "She was a great lady and she had a special affection for the arts and music. The NSPCC was her major charity and she worked tirelessly to support them for many years. Our sympathies are with the Royal Family at this sad time."

Princess Margaret died in the early hours of Saturday morning at the age of 71 after suffering a third stroke.

She was born on August 21, 1930, just after the Depression, and began education at the age of five in her parents room in Piccadilly, London.

She fell in love with Group Captain Peter Townsend when she was just 15. He was almost twice her age.

She married the bohemian photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960 in Westminster Abbey, but the marriage ended in divorce.

February 14, 2002 13:39