Prince William and Princess Kate have reportedly jetted off with their three children for a luxurious family holiday in an island paradise – and the location has a long-standing connection to the royals

Royal fans might have been disappointed that Prince William and Princess Kate didn’t make their usual appearance at the BAFTA film awards this year, but they had good reason to miss the glitzy event.

William and Kate are reported to be enjoying some much-needed rest and relaxation on an island paradise, along with their three children—Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six—making the most of the youngsters’ half-term break from school.

The Wales family is said to have jetted off to Mustique, an idyllic and luxurious island in the Caribbean, and the island has long-held royal connections. Kate’s mum, Carole Middleton, is reported to have also joined the family of five on their getaway – shortly after the Middleton matriarch marked a landmark birthday, her 70th.

The family has visited the island paradise previously, including back in 2019 when they celebrated Prince George’s sixth birthday in the stunning, privately owned island. Mustique is a haven when it comes to privacy, affording the future King and Queen some time away from the spotlight that is usually trained upon them.

The island reportedly enforces a “strict no-fly policy” – per Hello magazine – which means that all guests on the elite island can seriously get away from it all, with no prying eyes in the vicinity as they enjoy the immaculate white sand beaches and stunning blue water.

Back in 2019, the couple was reported to have stayed in a luxury villa that sets guests back £27,000 for a week’s stay – and is owned by one of William’s friends, Andrew Dunn. Boasting an infinity pool, jacuzzi, and incredible views, the family also had Carole and Michael Middleton with them on the 2019 visit.

The royal connection with Mustique goes well beyond William and Kate’s family visits, however, with the late Princess Margaret – Queen Elizabeth’s sister – owning a villa on the tiny island, which is only three miles long. She spent decades visiting, and she called it “the only place I can relax”.

Margaret was reportedly given 10 acres of land to build her island home on by Colin Tennant, who had owned the island since 1958, and was married to one of the Princess’s close pals, Lady Anne Glenconner.

Princess Margaret’s house on Mustique ( 
Image:
Leon Schadeberg/REX/Shutterstock)
The late Queen’s sister built Les Jolies Eaux, her home on the island, and visited what Town and Country called a “hedonistic idyll” twice a year, once in the Autumn, and once in Winter. “Margaret told me Les Jolies Eaux was the only property she had ever owned in her entire life. It was hers.

“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,” the magazine reports a friend of the Princess saying.

Her friend, Tatiana Copeland, explained that despite Princess Margaret enjoying an opportunity to let her down in private, royal protocol was still adhered to by those who encountered the late Queen’s sister on the island, with English guests making sure they even curtseyed to her on the beach whilst wearing their swimming costumes, and the proper titles and styles of address still being used.

In 1999, Margaret suffered a devastating accident whilst holidaying on Mustique, burning her feet very badly in a bath, which impacted her mobility until her death in 2002. The Mirror has approached Kensington Palace for comment.