Mustique was Princess Margaret’s favourite island getaway (Image: Getty Images)
Royal enthusiasts were quick to spot that Prince William and Princess Kate were absent from the BAFTA film awards this year – and there was a reason why.
The Prince of Wales is president of BAFTA but it has been no secret that it has been a challenging time for his family. So the William opted to focus on his family this year and decided to enjoy a luxurious half-term break with Kate, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.
Along with Kate’s mum, Carol, they been reportedly staying on the sunny private island of Mustique in the West Indies, a paradise in the Caribbean with historic royal connections.
It stretches three miles long and the 6,000 acres are ideal for the rich and famous to briefly escape from their public lives. According to Hello magazine, there is a “strict no-fly policy” on the island, meaning guests can relax without being intruded upon.
Celebrities like Mick Jagger and Jude Law have enjoyed stays at Mustique (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
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Despite being frequented by The Prince and Princess of Wales, it was initially made famous by Princess Margaret and over the years homeowners have included Mick Jagger and David Bowie.
History
Colin Tennant, who later became The 3rd Baron Glenconner, discovered the island on a boat trip before buying it for £45,000 back in 1958.
It became known as Mustique because of the countless mosquitoes and The Mustique Company turned the island into a magnet for the world’s wealthiest people to enjoy some privacy.
Victorian style shops on the island of Mustique (Image: Getty Images)
Just two years after snapping up the island, Tennant gave four-acres to Princess Margaret as a wedding present, and the area has had royal ties ever since. She later said it was “the only place I can relax”. Her sister, Queen Elizabeth, even had a visit there during a tour of the West Indies in 1966.
An airport was formed two years later before Hans Neumann eventually took over from Tennant to create a private limited company with homeowners as minority shareholders.
Princess Margaret shows her sister, Queen Elizabeth ll, around the island (Image: Getty Images)
Royals
A source close to Princess Margaret, who reportedly holidayed there twice a year, once said: “She felt inordinate love and pride that this was not from the royal family, it was not her sister’s, it was not grace and favour. She loved the fact it was her own.”
Her son, David Linley, sold her villa, called Les Jolies Eaux, back in 1999, but the island is still a place loved by royals. And Margaret’s old private villa can now be rented for up to £26,000 a week.
And Basil Charles, who used to own Basil’s Bar in Mustique, once said: “She (Margaret) was friendly, fun. She liked partying, late nights, and to dance.”
Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Mustique in 1977 (Image: Getty Images)
Mustique is also where Prince Harry spent some time during his 20s while his nephew, Prince George, celebrated turning six there back in 2019.
But you don’t have to be a royal to visit, although you do need to be rich. For example, the place where William and Kate stayed in 2019, consisting of four bedrooms and a heated infinity pool, cost up to £33,000 a week. Hotel stays don’t come cheap either.
The 17-bedroom Cotton House hotel, for example, can cost £1,200 a night.
Island Life
The tropical retreat’s website states: “Every island visitor is registered with our security team before arriving on island by land, air or sea, whether staff, local islander or guest to ensure the security team knows who is on island at any one time.”
The stunning island is home to white sandy beaches and turquoise water and is surrounded by green forest and palm trees. It is known for its natural beauty but despite hosting royalty, there are no private beaches or high-security fences.
Mustique Island is one of the most secure and safe islands on the planet (Image: Getty)
Macaroni Beach for example is one of the top attractions on Tripadvisor with one reviewer writing: “One of the nicest beaches I’ve been to in the world. Typically not crowded since the island only has a couple hundred people on it at a time.”
The island is also unique because it has not been over-developed – with no traffic lights, ATMs, visible power cables or high-rise hotels.
Well-known visitors have also included Paul McCartney, John Travolta and Jude Law who can pass time by going on horseback, scuba diving or sailing. Legendary house parties have also made it one of the most exclusive areas in the world.
