Peter Townsend lived in Adelaide Cottage in the 1940s with his first wife, Rosemary, so he could be on hand for King George VI in his role as equerry.
Prince Margaret's relationship with Peter Townsend rocked the EstablishmentIt is the modest four-bedroom property in Windsor that has been the home of Prince William and Kate and their young family since 2022.
Teenage princesses Elizabeth and Margaret and their mother Queen Elizabeth used to take tea in the gardens of the cottage with the Townsends and their young sons. He later wrote in his autobiography: 'If her extravagant vivacity sometimes outraged the elder members of the household and of London society, it was contagious to those who still felt young - whether they were or not.'
The Wales family moved from Kensington Palace to Adelaide Cottage, located within Windsor Great Park, in the summer of 2022. The King has made it clear there is now no way back for his brother, stripped of royal duties and use of his HRH title by the late Queen, as a working royal The duke, who no longer has official duties after being forced to quit as a working royal following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, shares the 30-room, £30million mansion with his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York.
Read More Prince Andrew must repaint Windsor Royal Lodge with two coats of paint every five years Despite its proximity to the monarch's residence, the living conditions in the cottage were in stark contrast to its mightier neighbour. A 1958 report from the Daily Mail that recounted the occasion said: 'It was the first of many Sunday visits. Princess Elizabeth liked to chat with Rosemary, while Princess Margaret played with the children on the lawn and Peter Townsend, off duty, sat back in a deckchair.
The previous year, the Townsends had divorced. It is widely believed that Margaret began her dalliance with Townsend years before the Queen's Coronation. Townsend is best remembered for the relationship with Margaret, but he had a commendable war record, serving as a Squadron Leader in the Battle of Britain
The pair were in near-constant company during a three-month State tour of South Africa, which began in February 1947. Townsend would then have been aged 32, whilst Margaret was 17.Margaret later told a confidante: 'We rode together every morning in that wonderful country, in marvellous weather. That’s when I really fell in love with him.'However, his romance with Margaret ultimately never resulted in the marriage that they both desperately sought.
Although Margaret had now turned 25, they were still denied the right to wed, and the government - led by Prime Minister Anthony Eden - stated that if she married her love then she would be stripped of her royal privileges as well as her income.A statement drafted in Princess Margaret's name read: 'I would like it to be known that I have decided not to marry Group Captain Peter Townsend.
Writing in his autobiography, Tim and Chance, Townsend described how he and Margaret became romantically close.'The year began with the Princess's grief, caused by the sudden death of her father; it continued with the change in her own family situation - living alone with her mother - and the steady deterioration in mine; it ended in the break-up of my family.
Adelaide Cottage was built on the site of the old head keeper's lodge on the north slopes of Home Park. Princess Margaret and Group Captain Peter Townsend photographed at Harrismith during Royal tour of South Africa in April 1947
Royals King Charles III Royals King George VI Prince William Frogmore Cottage The Queen Kate Middleton Princess Margaret
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Royal rift with Prince Harry and Prince Andrew has 'brought King Charles and Prince William closer'An ongoing royal rift with Prince Harry and Prince Andrew is said to have brought the King and Prince William closer together.
Read more »
Royal rule Kate Middleton always follows - but Prince William broke onceThe Royal Family are said to have an array of rules that they must follow when they are out on public duty - and there is one that Kate Middleton has confirmed she must abide by.
Read more »
Prince William provides Kate health update amid 'pause on major work decision'The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to have put a major work decision on hold as Kate continues to recover from her cancer diagnosis, with Prince William giving a rare update on his wife's health
Read more »
Inside the unique university traditions that Prince William and Kate followedAs students across the country start revising for their upcoming exams, OK! takes a look at the unique traditions that Royal alumni Prince William and Kate Middleton followed during their time at University
Read more »
Princess Eugenie shares rare message of support for Prince William amid Princess Kate's cancer diagnosisSarah Ferguson's daughter sent a touching message to her cousin Prince William
Read more »
Prince William and Kate release statement after RAF pilot dies in Spitfire crashThe Prince and Princess of Wales said they are 'incredibly sad' to hear about the tragic incident after the pilot died during a crash near RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire this afternoon.
Read more »