Tragic royal love story unfolded behind walls of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s home

Last year, the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, relocated to Windsor. Previously, the family had divided their time between their Kensington Palace apartment in London and their Norfolk residence, Anmer Hall. However, they made the decision to move their children from their London schools and settle in Adelaide Cottage, situated within Windsor Great Park.

The family’s move was planned prior to the unfortunate passing of the late Queen Elizabeth II. One of the reported motivations behind the relocation was to be in closer proximity to the late monarch. Additionally, the relative privacy that the royal children can enjoy in Windsor, compared to London, was cited as another reason for the move.

Interestingly, their current residence, Adelaide Cottage, has housed several notable royals in the past. This Grade II listed property also played host to one of the most tragic royal love stories in recent decades, adding to its historical significance.

Adelaide Cottage, owned by the Crown Estate, is a property that belongs to the reigning monarch but cannot be sold. Its name derives from its former occupant, Queen Adelaide, the wife of King William IV, who served as Queen Consort of the United Kingdom from 1830 to 1837. During her time, she used the cottage as a teahouse, and her niece, Queen Victoria, was a frequent visitor.

Under Victoria’s reign, the property was utilized to accommodate important guests. In 1941, Adelaide Cottage became known as a ‘grace and favour’ home, meaning it was leased as part of employment by the monarch. One of the first residents under this arrangement was Group Captain Peter Townsend, an equerry for King George VI, who moved into the cottage in 1945 when his wife was expecting their second child.

The cottage has a rich history, having been occupied by members of the royal family and their staff over the years, and its ownership remains tied to the Crown Estate and the reigning monarch.

The story of Townsend’s relationship with Princess Margaret sheds light on the complexities and constraints faced by members of the British royal family. Townsend, who served as an equerry to Queen Elizabeth II after her ascension to the throne in 1952, developed a romantic connection with the Queen’s younger sister, Princess Margaret. Despite a significant age gap of sixteen years, with Townsend being older, their bond deepened over time, with reports suggesting that Margaret had harbored feelings for him since 1947, when she was still a teenager.

At the time, Townsend was already married to Rosemary Pratt, with whom he had two sons. In 1952, he divorced his wife, and the following year, he proposed to Princess Margaret. However, due to the Royal Marriages Act, the Queen, as the head of the Church of England, was unable to approve Margaret’s marriage to a divorced man whose ex-wife was still alive. This legal and religious constraint ultimately prevented their union, highlighting the intricate web of rules and traditions that govern the lives of British royals.

The story of Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend’s relationship sheds light on the complexities faced by members of the royal family. Despite their affection, their potential marriage was hindered by strict protocols and expectations.

The public became aware of their intimacy during the 1953 Coronation when Margaret was seen removing lint from Townsend’s jacket, a gesture that hinted at their closeness. In 1955, when Margaret turned 25, she had the option to marry Townsend, but only if she renounced her place in the line of succession and forfeited the privileges associated with being a royal.

Ultimately, in October 1955, Margaret announced her decision not to marry Townsend, citing the Church’s teachings on the indissolubility of marriage and her duty to the Commonwealth as her primary considerations. Townsend, in his memoir, acknowledged that he lacked the “weight” to counterbalance all that Margaret would have lost by marrying him.

This episode highlights the personal sacrifices and difficult choices that royals must make, often putting their duty and obligations before their personal desires.