Let me tell you a story about two extraordinary women whose bond transcended the pressures of royal life. For Queen Elizabeth, life wasn't always easy, but she found solace in the most unexpected place — her sister, Princess Margaret. Now, picture this: two sisters, both born into privilege, sharing secrets, laughter, and even the occasional strawberry-picking adventure. According to Paul Burrell, the former royal butler, their connection was something special. "They were extremely close," Paul says, "and would tell each other anything." These two were raised in the same era, daughters of a king, and their bond was unshakable.
Childhood Adventures: From Castles to Countryside
Growing up, Elizabeth and Margaret weren’t just sisters; they were best friends. Their adventures took them from the grandeur of royal palaces to the wilds of the Scottish countryside. One of their favorite pastimes? Picking wild strawberries and bilberries. Imagine these two royal sisters, giggling and laughing, running through the fields with baskets full of sweet treats. Once they had their bounty, they would race back to the palace, their cheeks flushed with excitement, eager to share their treasures. "Upon their return to the castle," Paul recalls, "Princess Margaret would insist that the fruits be placed on the tea table, so they could talk about their day." It wasn’t just about the berries; it was about the connection, the joy of sharing simple pleasures.
A Bond Strengthened by Trials
Life, of course, wasn’t always idyllic. When Princess Margaret’s marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones unraveled in 1978, she faced a storm of public scrutiny. As the first member of the royal family to divorce in over 400 years, since King Henry VIII, Margaret was under immense pressure. But through it all, she had her sister. Queen Elizabeth embraced her with open arms, offering her a sanctuary at Windsor Castle. "Margaret would spend weekends there," Paul shares, "in rooms close to the queen, which she had specially decorated for her." Elizabeth always protected her sister, even wishing, at times, that she could live a life as free-spirited as Margaret’s.
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Grieving Together: A Sister's Loss
When Princess Margaret passed away in 2002 at the age of 71, Queen Elizabeth was devastated. In just one year, she lost both her sister and her mother. It was a profound loss, one that left a void in her life. The only person left to comfort her was her husband, Prince Philip. "They were close until the end," Paul says. "What once was 'we four,' as the king once called his family, became 'we two.' And then, it was only one." The bond between these sisters was a testament to the power of family, love, and loyalty.
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