This is a terribly sad day for all my family but particularly for the Queen, my mama, and my grandmother, the Queen Mother, and also for Princess Margaret's children David and Sarah and my aunt's wonderful friends who will, like us, miss her deeply.

My darling aunt had such a dreadful time in the last few years with this illness, it was hard for let alone her to bear it but all of us as well, particularly as she had such a wonderfully free spirit.

She loved life and lived it to the full and from that point of view it was even harder for everybody to witness this, and of course at this moment all our hearts go out to all those people who also have relations that suffer from strokes and know only too well the agony that people have to go through.

My aunt was one of those remarkable people who apart from being incredibly vital and attractive, and of course when she was young so many people remember her for that vitality and attractiveness and indeed her incredible beauty, but she also, and I think many people do not realise this, but she had such incredible talent.

I remember so well that she used to play the piano incredibly well. She had an extraordinary ear. She could pick up and play by ear almost any tune.

She sang like an angel - I always remember that as a child.

And of course she had a wonderfully sharp mind and used to win crossword puzzle competitions.

I think one of the fondest memories I shall have of her was of seeing her at the piano playing away with a large, very elegant cigarette holder in her mouth.

As I say we shall all miss her dreadfully and as dreadfully sad as death is at times like this, I think that in a way for her it must have been a merciful relief, as many people will understand for someone who was such a vital and free spirit.

May I just also on behalf of the whole of my family, in particular my grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, thank all those wonderful people who already have sent in their condolences and their marvellous letters of sympathy. They are greatly appreciated.