LONDON, England (CNN) -- The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to his late aunt, Princess Margaret, describing her as "wonderfully vibrant."
She "sang like an angel" and had "a wonderful spirit," said the heir to the throne -- whose wife Princess Diana was killed four years ago -- in a pooled TV interview.
Speaking inside Sandringham House, Norfolk, Prince Charles, wearing a black tie, was in sombre mood as he spoke of his "darling aunt" and said it had been "a terribly sad day" for the British royal family.
He said: "The last few years with her awful illness were hard for her to deal with, particularly as she was such a wonderfully vibrant woman with such a free spirit."
Dressed in green cords, a white shirt, and a dark grey jacket, the Prince said Princess Margaret would be "terribly missed" by all her family.
He said: "This is a terribly sad day for all my family, but particularly of course for my Mama the Queen, my grandmother, the Queen Mother and also for Princess Margaret's children, David and Sarah and also my aunt's wonderful friends who will, like all of us, miss her terribly.
"My darling aunt had such a dreadful time the last few years with her awful illness and it was hard for her to deal with, particularly as she was such a wonderfully vibrant woman with such a free spirit.
"She lived life and loved it to the full and for that we will always remember her.
"All our hearts go out to those people who have relations who have also suffered four strokes."
Sitting in a drawing room at Sandringham House, he spoke about how he remembered his aunt as a young woman.
He said: "My aunt was one of those remarkable people who, apart from being so vibrant in the way that many people remember her when she was young, she was also a woman of great beauty.
"She also had such incredible talents. She used to play the piano incredibly well.
"She sang like an angel and she had this wonderful spirit. She used to win crossword puzzle competitions.
"One of the fondest memories I shall have of her is her sitting at the piano playing to me.
"We shall all miss her terribly.
"And as dreadfully sad as death is at times like this, in a way it must have been a merciful release for somebody who was such a vital and free spirit.
"My family would like to thank all those wonderful people who have already sent in their condolences and marvellous letters of sympathy. They are greatly appreciated."
