Princess Margaret's Lung Operation: The Background
Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, had a long and very public battle with her health, which was heavily influenced by her lifestyle choices. Her frequent illnesses became a subject of public concern and media speculation, much like her tumultuous personal life. Her propensity for heavy smoking was a particularly well-known factor in her declining health.
A Lifetime of Smoking
Princess Margaret was a dedicated smoker for most of her adult life, reportedly smoking up to 60 cigarettes a day at one point. Her habit began at a young age, influenced by the social norms of the era and her father's own heavy smoking. King George VI, who died of lung cancer in 1952, also had a lung operation years before his death, an event that cast a long shadow over Margaret's own health struggles. This royal family history of smoking and lung problems made Margaret's 1985 operation a particularly anxious event for the public and the Royal Family.
The Health Crisis in 1985
In early January 1985, at the age of 54, Margaret was admitted to the Brompton Hospital in London after experiencing chest pains. The news caused a flurry of media attention, with many speculating about a possible cancer diagnosis, given her known smoking habit and family history. Her hospital admission came after she had been dealing with various respiratory issues, including recurrent bronchitis, laryngitis, and pneumonia over the years.
Details of the Operation
On January 5, 1985, Princess Margaret underwent an operation to remove a small area of her left lung. Following the surgery, an official statement from the hospital was released, stating that the tissue removed was "innocent," meaning non-cancerous. Buckingham Palace relayed that the Queen was "very pleased at the satisfactory outcome". Despite the non-malignant result, the operation was a significant moment for the royal, a stark reminder of the health consequences of her prolonged smoking.
Comparison of Princess Margaret's Health Events
To better understand the timeline of Princess Margaret's health issues, here is a comparison of some key events, highlighting how the 1985 lung surgery fits into her overall health trajectory.
| Event | Year | Age | Health Condition/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lung Surgery | 1985 | 54 | Removal of a small, non-cancerous part of her left lung. |
| First Stroke | 1998 | 67 | Suffered a mild stroke while in Mustique, resulting in temporary vision and mobility issues. |
| Scalding Accident | 1999 | 68 | Severely scalded her feet in a bath at her Mustique home, which affected her mobility and led to a greater reliance on a wheelchair. |
| Further Strokes | 2000 & 2001 | 70-71 | Experienced additional strokes, further impairing her mobility and sight. |
| Final Stroke | 2002 | 71 | Died following a final stroke and cardiac problems at King Edward VII's Hospital in London. |
The Aftermath of the Surgery
Despite the clear warning from her body and the successful, but invasive, surgery, Princess Margaret did not immediately quit smoking. Reports suggest she continued smoking heavily for some time before eventually quitting after a more severe health scare. Her continued defiance of medical advice highlighted her willful and sometimes self-destructive reputation. The health crisis did not alter her love for the glamour of a party lifestyle or her rebellious streak, though it did mark a turning point in her long-term health decline.
The 1985 operation was a public acknowledgement of the serious health risks she faced. The royal court had to manage the public relations aspect carefully, issuing guarded statements to both reassure the public and protect Margaret's privacy. For Margaret herself, the event was a private and undoubtedly frightening brush with a disease that had claimed her father. The positive outcome was a relief, but it did not fully deter her from the habits that continued to jeopardize her health for years to come.
Conclusion
Princess Margaret was 54 years old when she had lung surgery in 1985, a procedure that, while proving the lesion was non-malignant, underscored the health risks associated with her lifelong smoking habit. The operation marked a major health event in her life, though it did not lead to an immediate change in lifestyle. It serves as a reminder of her complex character, torn between a royal duty and a rebellious nature. Her health continued to decline in later years, impacted by further strokes and accidents, before her death in 2002.
For more detailed information on Princess Margaret's life and her role within the Royal Family, you can visit the official Royal.uk encyclopedia page.
