Britain's Princess Margaret admitted to hospital

Britain's Princess Margaret has been admitted to hospital suffering from severe weight loss caused by a suspected stroke before Christmas.

The princess was taken by car this afternoon to the King Edward VII Hospital in London, said Buckingham Palace.

She is said to have lost her appetite after the stroke and although she initially appeared to be responding to nursing at Sandringham, concern for her health has grown.

A statement given to the media said her doctors, in consultation with the Queen, decided her condition could be more closely monitored in hospital.

It is believed some members of the Royal Family, including the Queen and the Queen Mother, are at Sandringham.

The statement from the Palace read: "On the advice of her doctors, Princess Margaret has been admitted to the King Edward VII Hospital in London this afternoon.

"One of the consequences of her recent apparent stroke has been a severe loss of appetite. There was some hope at the end of last week that the Princess might be responding to treatment and extra nursing care at Sandringham.

"However, this improvement has not been maintained and her condition remains a cause for concern.

"Her doctors have therefore decided, following consultation with the Princess and the Queen, that the Princess should be admitted to hospital where her condition can be more closely monitored.

"The Princess was driven by car from Sandringham to the hospital this afternoon.

"Princess Margaret's engagements are being cancelled."