THE life of Princess Margaret, who died two weeks ago, was remembered in a service at York Minster at the weekend.

About 250 people gathered in the Nave of the Minster for Choral Evensong on Saturday, which was dedicated to the Queen's 71-year-old sister.

Like Princess Margaret's funeral last Friday at Windsor, the low-key service contrasted greatly with the screening of Princess Diana's funeral at the flower-strewn Minster in 1997, and was much more high church than high emotion.

But warm tributes were paid to the Princess and prayers were said for her during the service, with the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, giving the blessing at the end.

The Dean of York, the Very Rev Raymond Furnell, said: "The enormous moral and social transformations of the 20th century affected the life of Princess Margaret more than that of most people, not simply because of the very public nature of her existence, but because fate directed choices which had to be made in the scrutiny of public opinion.

"She is most notable - and worthy to be held in honour - for having upheld the teaching of the Church at real cost to personal happiness, and for remaining loyal, all her life, to a clear and convinced understanding of Christianity.

"Convivial and generous, removed by circumstance from so much that most take for granted, she remained an admirable example to those who seek to maintain the ultimate priority of religious belief."

Among the congregation, made up of tourists and residents, were the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Irene Waudby, and her husband, Derek.

Updated: 11:48 Monday, February 25, 2002