Princess Margarita's funeral

credit for all three photos: HRH Crown Prince Alexander

Princess Margarita of Baden's funeral held today at St. Sava Srbian Orthodox Church in London.  The late Princess's uncle, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, traveled from Sandringam to London to attend the funeral.

Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine led the list of mourners, which also included the Crown Prince's son, Prince Philip; Princess Katarina and Prince Nikola (Princess Margarita's children), Victoria de Silva (Princess Margarita's granddaughter), and Sir Desmond de Silva (former husband of Princess Katarina).

Members of the von Baden family were also present for the Orthodox funeral, including the Margrave and Margravine of Baden (brother and sister-in-law), Hereditary Prince Bernhard (nephew)and Hereditary Princess Stephanie, and their three sons,  Prince Leopold & Prince Michael of Baden (nephews);  Prince Ludwig and Princess Marianne of Baden (brother and sister-in-law) and their three children..

Queen Anne Marie of the Hellenes and Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg  attended as did Princess Sarvath of Jordan and her two daughters and Princess Tatiana Radziwill and her husband, Dr. John Fruchaud.  Sir Brian McGrath accompanied The Duke of Edinburgh.  The Earl of St. Andrews was also one of the mourners.

Princess Margarita's marriage to Prince Tomislav ended in divorce in 1981, although she remained close to Crown Prince Alexander who spoke eloquently about his aunt: “I first met Margarita when I was a young boy after her marriage to my uncle Prince Tomislav, the middle brother my father King Peter II. I would stay with my uncle and aunt at their farm in Sussex and we would were very close. I learnt a lot about Yugoslavia and our Royal House from my uncle while my aunt Margarita offered me practical advice about problems I was likely to encounter in life.They were very good to me and helped me grow up. Margarita was like a mother to me, having married a then Yugoslav Prince. “Margarita became interested in all things Yugoslav, especially in the Serbs and the Serbian orthodox church. She was very approachable – she was a real Serbian people’s princess. My family and I and the Serbian people shall miss her greatly. May dear Margarita rest in peace! VJEČNAJA PAMYAT!” The service was officiated by His Grace Dositej, Bishop of Great Britain and Scandinavia and His Grace Bishop Andrej, Vicar Bishop of the Patriarch Irinej of Serbia. A reception in the church's fellowship hall followed the service.  On Monday,  the coffin will be flown to Stuttgart and brought to Salem for burial at the family cemetery. Princess Margarita's granndaughter, Princess Maria, and her niece, Princess Marie Louise of Baden, will attend the funeral in Salem on Monday. Although the princess resumed her marital name after her divorce, she retained the HRH that she had acquired through her marriage to Prince Tomislav. http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/prince_philip_leaves_norfolk_to_attend_funeral_in_london_1_1805366