The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, has paid tribute to Princess Margaret who has died peacefully in her sleep, aged 71.

Dr Carey told BBC News: "I got to know her pretty well during the past 10 years and found her somebody with whom I could have very direct, honest, open discussion.

"I prayed with her on several occasions and she was deeply grateful for that.

"And we can thank God for her life, all she accomplished in it and the support she received from so many people particularly the Royal Family.

There was a deep sadness there and I think all of us can associate with her to that degree

Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey

"She was a person of faith and loved the prayer book.

"It was a simple but very directive faith and a faith that was interested in the lives of people."

Dr Carey paid tribute to the princess's charitable work with more than 80 organisations particularly with young people's groups.

He continued: "She was a very direct person - somebody who would go to the heart of an issue pretty quickly.

"And that could be disconcerting at first to a lot of people.

Emotional troubles

"There was a deep sadness there and I think all of us can associate with her to that degree.

"Most of us have known pain, emotional troubles, physical troubles, that kind of thing.

"We could sympathise therefore with her who had had her loves and lost, had a family - who supported her, of course - but a person of intelligence, interested in life, and a loyal and devoted member of the Royal Family."

"A loyal and devoted member of the Royal Family"

She had supported her sister, he said, and had remained "intensely committed to her nation" despite her pain and struggles.

"We often think people like that are unfulfilled - but in many respects they get a lot out of life.

"She was completely loyal and supportive, pulled her weight in the Royal Family and was very interested in making a contribution."

Deep faith

The princess had gone to Lambeth Palace on one occasion, Dr Carey remembered.

"There we were in the library with a couple of the staff and she was asking penetrating questions and making observations they had not thought of themselves.

"She had them floundering and it struck me that was an aspect of her that most people probably did not see.

"As with most of us who are believers, her faith was very deep and real.

There was a loneliness about her in her latter years

Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey

"It made a real difference to her attitude to life and her friendships.

"There was a loneliness about her in her latter years.

"But she did have the support of the Royal Family, who cared for her at all times.

"She never wavered in her loyalty to her Church

"And in the very deep conversations I had with her, she never complained.

"We thank God for her commitment and we commend her to her Heavenly Father."