Musical celebration of Margaret's life

The Queen led the service in memory of her sister's life

The Queen and other members of the Royal Family have attended a memorial service for Princess Margaret centred on a musical celebration of her life.

Politicians and friends, including actresses Felicity Kendall and Dame Judi Dench, were also at Westminster Abbey for the event planned by the princess herself.

Charity representatives, regiments and other organisations associated with the Princess as well as members of the public were in the congregation of 2,000 on Friday.

Princess Margaret planned the service

The BBC's royal correspondent Jennie Bond said it was a "real feast" of music with three choirs, two soloists and an orchestra.

She said it was a thanksgiving for the princess's life, albeit a private service.

It was set around Faure's Requiem and included a reading by Ms Kendall and the Princess's son, Viscount Linley.

Opera tributes

It also featured opera stars Dame Felicity Lott and Welsh singer Bryn Terfel.

More than 1,500 members of the public applied for invitations and 500 of them were selected by ballot to attend.

Actress Felicity Kendall said a reading

Prince Charles attended with his son Prince Harry.

Margaret's daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto was there with her husband Daniel.

The princess's ex-husband Lord Snowdon and her former lover Roddy Llewellyn were also present.

Before the service, led by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev Dr Wesley Carr, the orchestra of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields played some of the princess's favourite music, including Tchaikovsky's "Awakening" Pas de Deux from the ballet Sleeping Beauty.

Private funeral

Princess Margaret died on 9 February at the age of 71, after suffering a stroke that led to heart problems.

Her private funeral at St George's Chapel, in the grounds of Windsor Castle, was attended by about 450 of the princess's friends, family and staff on 15 February.

The princess's body was then taken to Slough Crematorium.

Friday also marks the end of the official period of mourning for the Queen Mother.

The Queen and other members of the Royal Family have resumed their engagements, and flags are flying at full mast.