Transcript of BBC interview with Nicholas Witchell
First broadcast Saturday 9 February 2002
ABC: Princess Margaret was a person of faith and loved the Prayer Book. It was a simple but very direct faith, and faith that was interested in the lives of people. For example, she was Patron of well over 80 organisations and took particular interest in the Girl Guides, young people's organisations and that kind of thing. She was a very direct person; someone who would go to the heart of the matter pretty quickly. It could be disconcerting for some people. I got to know her pretty well and found her to be someone with whom I could have very direct, honest, open discussion.
NW: It was though in many ways a rather sad, unfulfilled life?
ABC: I wouldn't use the word 'unfulfilled'. I think there was a deep sadness there. And I think all of us can associate with her to that degree. Most of us have known pain, emotional troubles, physical troubles, that kind of thing, and could sympathise with her who had had her loves and lost. Had a family who had supported her of course. But a person actually of intelligence, interested in life, and wanted to be a loyal member and committed member of the Royal Family. We often think of people like that that they are unfulfilled, but in many respects actually they got a lot out of life.
NW: And though in many respects she and the Queen were quite different in temperament and outlook she was always loyal.
ABC: Completely loyal, completely supportive. She pulled her weight in the Royal Family, and, as I was saying earlier, someone who was very interested in making a contribution. She came to Lambeth Palace on one occasion and I showed her some of our treasures. There we were in the Library with a couple of the Library staff. She was asking penetrating questions making observations that they hadn't thought of themselves. She had them floundering. It struck me that that was an aspect of her that most people did not see.
NW: To what extend do you believe was her Christian faith a comfort in the domestic trials and tribulations that she frequently faced?
ABC: Well as with most of us who are believers, her faith was very deep and very real; it made a real difference to her attitude to life, to her friendships. I've prayed with her on several occasions. I remember one Christmas, going to her bedside at Sandringham and praying with her and she was deeply grateful for that. There was a loneliness about her of course in her latter years, but she did have the support of the Royal Family, at all times, who cared for her, and at a time like this we can thank God for her, her life, all that she accomplished in it, and the support she received from so many people, particularly the Royal Family.
NW: Did she I wonder ever express any resentment that the 1950s the Church's position then on divorce had been one of the stronger voices that had made her marriage to Group Capt. Townsend then impossible?
ABC: No she never did that. She never wavered in her loyalty to her Church. It is certainly true that maybe different circumstances, a different time, might have made a difference. Who knows? She was not the sort of person though to live with that kind of regret. She lived life. And what we must say is that through that difficult period her faith was very real and very strong.
NW: She never felt that she was unfairly treated?
ABC: No, not at all, not at all. I think that would never have crossed her mind and in the very deep conversations I had with her she never complained.
NW: And, in conclusion, for what will she be remembered?
ABC: I think as a very loyal and devoted member of the Royal Family who supported her sister and who had her pains and her struggles but who was intensely committed to her nation. We thank God for her commitment and we commend her to her Heavenly Father.