LONDON (Reuters) - The Queen's ailing sister Princess Margaret has pulled out of a gala tribute to
screen legend Dame Elizabeth Taylor because she is too "tired", Buckingham Palace said.
Margaret, who will be 70 in August, suffered a stroke in 1998 and was ill for several weeks in March
1999 after she scalded her feet while bathing.
On a visit to London's Chelsea flower show on Monday she was in a wheelchair.
"She was hoping to go but felt too tired to do so," a palace spokeswoman said. "She is not ill. She has
carried out a lot of engagements recently."
Buckingham Palace said the princess was very disappointed to be missing the Red Hot Aids charitable trust tribute to Taylor at
London's luxury Dorchester Hotel. Last week the Queen bestowed the title of Dame on Taylor week in recognition of her
acting and charity work.
~*~
Praise for bluntness of King George(UK Times)
BY NICK NUTTALL, TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT
GEORGE III was right when he decreed that royal
buildings should have blunt lightning rods, researchers say.
The rods are far more effective than the sharp variety
developed in 1749 by the diplomat and gentleman
scientist Benjamin Franklin. The findings have been made
by a team led by Charles Moore, a retired atmospheric
physicist.
Franklin realised that, attached to a conductor, the rods
could divert a lightning strike harmlessly to Earth. Dr
Moore decided to test the rival designs over seven
thunderstorm seasons in New Mexico. He reports in New
Scientist that the round or blunt rods attracted lightning
away from the sharp ones. Dr Moore believes the
electrical field over a blunt rod is higher, making it better
at attracting lightning.
The scientist says that the King, who died blind and mad
in 1820, was not demonstrating superior scientific skills
but acted out of "political pique" because Franklin
supported American Independence.