The Queen ‘gifts’ Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Grade II-listed lovenest in Windsor – with a VERY interesting past
Adelaide Cottage in Windsor underwent renovation in 2015
TALK about generous wedding gifts! The Queen has reportedly given Prince Harry and Meghan Markle a plush Grade II-listed property following them tying the knot.
Adelaide Cottage, in Home Park, Windsor, is famous for once being the home of Princess Margaret’s lover Group Captain Peter Townsend.
reports that Harry and Meghan have already been for a viewing and have fallen in love with the home, and will move in shortly.
Nestled in the heart of the Crown Estate's private 655-acre royal park, the stunning home was built in 1831 as a retreat for William IV’s wife Queen Adelaide.
The lovenest boasts a master bedroom with gilded dolphins on the coved ceiling and rope ornament from a 19th century yacht Royal George, along with a Graeco-Egyptian fireplace.
The sprawling cottage, which underwent renovation in 2015 and is described as "picturesque" by the heritage organisation Historic England, is just a few minutes walk from Windsor Castle - where the couple married on May 19.
The source added: "There are seven gated entrances and exits to Windsor Castle so the newlyweds could come and go without worrying about being photographed."
It was formerly known as Adelaide Lodge, incorporating part of John Nash's original Royal Lodge.
It has been home to Royal dignitaries and courtiers, most recently Simon Rhodes, son of Margaret Rhodes, who was first cousin of the Queen and a Lady in Waiting to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
The Queen helped Rhodes move his family to Britain from his home in Zimbabwe after he was driven out by the continuing violence in the country.
Its most famous resident has been Peter Townsend, who was equerry to King George VI from 1944 to 1952 and who moved into the property in 1945 with his wife Rosie Marchioness Camden.
Soon after the couple’s divorce in 1952, his doomed romance with Princess Margaret became public.
The secluded property is located just east of Windsor Castle and is within easy distance from London.
It is also close to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s private apartments and only a few miles from the Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park, which Harry regularly visits.
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Kensington Palace was unavailable for comment.
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