Princess Margaret's Funeral

"In the evening, Charles reached the Chapel to attend to Margaret's Funeral. He still couldn't believe that. The chapel was already crowded, and he really didn't know who will celebrate the ceremony, Fisher or Wolsey. Or maybe Archibishop Tunstall...But this was not important for him. He crossed himself and waited silently the coffin to enter"

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I heard the tragic word of the Princess Margaret's death. I could not imagine what Charles was going through.

I rushed to the chapel and silently walked in. I took a seat next to Charles. I could see in his face how much grief he was in.

"I'm so sorry for you loss. She was a great woman and will be missed" was all I could say. I then padded him on the back and lowed my head.

"Charles sighed and nodded gratefully at Anthony"

Thank you, my friend. Thank you...

"He just could whisper, still looking down"

Geoffrey entered in the chapel with other servants. He stood silently, waiting for Princess's coffin arrival. Some people were murmuring each other. He could clearly hear a man talking with his little son

Boy: "Father, if it was Kimg's sister who died, why the King is not here?"

Father: "Because King's image can't be connected with death, my son..."

While she was coming to the chapel , she couldn't know how to behave. Death always made her feel confused. Because she couldn't understand. Someone you knew very well wasn't living now. It was complicated for Alfonsina. But after her son's death , she at least could face with death.

While she was thinking about them , she realized that she came. She entered the chapel and saw it was very crowded. She walked and saw Charles. While she was passing near him , she reached and squeezed his hand without nobody's seeing. And she looked at his eyes as if she wanted to say she was sorry and she was always at his side. Then she took her seat and started to wait. She was hoping that Edward would come.

Edward slipped quietly into the chapel-he decided he would come...if only for Alfonsina. He wanted to prove to her that he would respect he she respected and love her entirely. He wore a black suit of velvet and quietly walked to where she sat-he bowed his head respectfully to Charles and saw Nan beside him. He smiled weakly and then sat beside Alfonsina.

He took her hand and kissed her cheek softly and discreetly. He could feel himself become more distressed-it reminded him of his fathers funeral. A good, honest and noble man who died a most sorry of deaths. Edward felt the burden of being a good man lie his father heavier than ever but he knew he would be proud...or at least he hoped so.

"Charles was lost in his thoughts when he saw Nan approaching him slowly. He smiled gratefully at her, trying to look strong. Suddenly Margaret's words came in his mind. What will happen, now? He took gently Nan's hand in his for a little while and nodded, meaning Thank you. Then he saw Alfonsina coming too and smiled weakly at her"

Thank you for coming...

"He whispered. While he was bowing to lord Craven with his head, he noticed that Margaret's coffin was entering the Chapel. The cerimony was starting. He looked at Nan with a serious glance. Then took a breath and kept on following the coffin until the altar"

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The ground outside the chapel was beautiful and serene belying the sadness that the chapel walls contained. I can't believe I'm at my sister's funeral. That was what I thought as i entered inside.I looked around the chapel at people,they were dressed mostly in black, brown and purple. Some women wore hats, others did not. People sat quietly or whispered softy.The small cozy chapel was full but not crowded.I took a sit breathing heavily.So many thoughts raced through my mind. How could she die? She was too young. Why am I here? I can't do this. My mind told me to get up and get out of that chapel but I did not moved.I just sat there in silence with my head hung down and tears streaming down my face.

"Charles felt stronger having Nan next to him. As the priest began to talk, he glanced secretely at her. She looked really sorry for his loss. He knew that Nan was sincere. After a while, he noticed someone entering. It was Emilie. Margaret was so close to her, she was her best friend. Suddenly he remembered the travel in Portugal, when Emilie came with them as Margaret's lady. Sighing deeply, he nodded at Emilie and turned towards altar with sad eyes"

I entered the chapel there were so many people there to pay there respects to the late princess margaret. I saw his grace the duke of Suffolk i went over to him and gave him hugged him and gave him my deepest sympathy.

your grace i am so sorry for your loss of your wife the Princess Margaret she was a wonderful and beautiful woman, she will be deeply missed. is there anything i can do for you your grace ? i asked

i paused and then waited for him to answer.

Wolsey entered the chapel quietly and sat down on one of the front benches. Just before he had spoken to his predecessor Warham, Lord Chancellor untill Wolsey succeeded him in 1515 but Warham was still the Archbishop of Canterbury and would lead the celebration.
He glanced aside and saw Charles, he nodded slowly at him, but when he looked at the other side, he saw Emilie, just a few places away and he moved to her, despite all happy to see her.
´Emilie... sorry for the loss of your good friend. We talk later...´ he squeezed her hand softly and then raised his eyes to the altar, waiting for the ceremony to start.

Norfolk coughed. As the King's representative, he led the procession untill they reached the chapel, and now they had to wait for the old and fragile Warham to led the celebration.
He stood close to Brandon, nodding encouraging at him but his eyes turned increasingly at the Duchess of Naverre, who comforted Brandon.
Finally the bell rang to announce the Archbishop and he lowered his eyes.

I entered the chapel in my gown of black and veil, presenting a glimpse of French mourning as I enter. I see the large crowd of mourners and cannot help but feel that many new this young woman and cared for her dearly. I see his grace, Charles Brandon, newly a widower, and I cross myself and kiss my fingers, praying that he knows the princess is surely at peace and in a better place.
I cannot help but feel slightly uncomfortable. I never have been the best when presented at funerals, and I cannot help but feel great sadness for the young woman who lie, still, in the coffin at the front of the large chapel.
I look over to see my cousin, Emilie, standing beside the lady Nan Saville, and I see the great sadness in my dear cousin's face.

"Charles nodded gratefully at people who hugged him and brought him some comfort: lady Parr, Lady More and others. He looked back at Wolsey and noticed that other people were reaching Chapel too. He suddenly realized how much Margaret was loved. She was surrounded by friends who loved her deeply. Just himself...he couldn't love her as she deserved. He shook fastly his head after this thoughts and turned to Nan. She was still next to him, ignoring people who looked at them. He appreciated this so much and squeezed her soft hand in his"

Don't leave me, Nan. Not in this moment, please...

"He whispered, glancing at Margaret's coffin in the middle of Chapel"

"Are you alright?"Edward whispered to Alfonsina as he noticed she looked a little pale. He took her hand in his as means of comforting her.