Queen Mother to defy doctors

The Queen Mother was expected to defy doctors' orders today and leave her sick bed to make the journey from Sandringham to Windsor in readiness for Princess Margaret's funeral on Friday.

She faces an emotional reunion with the Queen, whom she has not seen since Margaret's death in the early hours of Saturday.

It is understood she will make the journey by chauffeur-driven car. Palace officials had considered using a helicopter, but it was thought to be too much for the 101-year-old Queen Mother.

A final decision on precisely when she will travel was being this morning. Palace officials confirmed that she was "absolutely determined" to attend Margaret's funeral at St George's Chapel.

A well-placed source said: "All the necessary medical considerations have been taken into account, but everybody agrees the final decision must be hers.'

Although deeply upset, the Queen Mother is said to have viewed her daughter's death as a "merciful release".

The Queen Mother has been ill with a persistent, chesty cold for weeks and has not been seen in public for almost three months.

It will take a great effort for her to attend Margaret's funeral. The event is certain to be physically exhausting as well as emotionally shattering, not least because it will be 50 years to the day since the funeral of her beloved husband King George VI.

Like other members of the royal family, the Queen Mother will not attend the private cremation service at Slough crematorium.

The Queen has continued to carry out engagements and will arrive in Jamaica on Monday for the start of a three-country jubilee tour which also takes in New Zealand and Australia.