Princess Marina dies of brain tumour

Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, was a popular member of the British Royal Family. From the 1930s until her death in 1968, she has enamoured the British press and public for her charm, chic fashion sense, and dedication to her royal duties. She ably represented the Crown through the reigns of four sovereigns and amidst personal setbacks, worst of which were the tragic death of her husband and the financial constraints that ensued, Prince George, Duke of Kent, in 1942. Born  a princess of Greece and Denmark in 1906, she was the youngest of the three daughters of Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark and Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia. In 1934, she married the Duke of Kent and gave birth to three children: Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (born 1935), Princess Alexandra (born 1936), and Prince Michael (born 1942). Her sudden death on August 27, 1968 was a shock to a nation who have come to adored UK’s last foreign-born princess.

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LONDON, Tuesday, August 27,  1968 (A AP-Reuter)

 Princess Marina, 61-year-old aunt of the Queen, died today of a brain tumour.

The Greek-born Princess's two sons, the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael, and daughter, Princess Alexandra, were with her.

An announcement from her apartments in Kensington Palace said the Princess had been suffering from an inoperable brain tumour.

She had spent five weeks resting at the palace after treatment in the National Hospital for nervous diseases.

In exile twice

The Princess was one of the most popular members of the Royal family and made several tours abroad. Formerly Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, she married the Duke of Kent in 1934. He was killed in an air crash, while on active service in August 1942.

She twice knew exile- first - from 1914 to 1918 when the Greek Royal family had to seek refuge in Switzerland, and again after World War I, when the family lived in Paris.

The Princess had been president of the All England Tennis Club, which stages Wimbledon, for 26 years.

The palace statement said the Princess died peacefully in her sleep.

"The Princess had for some weeks been suffering from an inoperable tumour of the brain, and her condition had rapidly deteriorated during the past 24 hours", it said.

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Australian Parliament sends sympathy to Queen (August 29)

Princess Marina,who died in London on Tuesday held a special place in the hearts of Australians, the Prime Minister, Mr. Gorton, said.

"Her charm, natural beauty and quiet courage were regarded with affection not only in Britain but throughout the Commonwealth", he said.

Mr. Gorton was making a motion expressing the House's grief at the Princess's death and extending sympathy to the Queen.

Mr. Gorton said Princess Marina carried out to the full extent the responsibilities of her position.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Whitlam, supported Mr. Gorton, and a similar motion was carried in the Senate.

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LONDON, Wednesday, August 28, 1968 (AAP - Renter). - Princess Marina will be buried privately on Friday. A statement from Kensington Palace said the funeral would take place at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and a memorial service would be held in London at a later date. 

In photo: A portrait of Princess Marina by Cecil Beaton.