Image: Mustique/ Wikipedia
Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, received a 10-acre plot on the Caribbean island of Mustique as a wedding present in 1960 from British aristocrat Colin Tennant, later Lord Glenconner. Located on a secluded stretch of Mustique’s southern coastline, the five-bedroom property commands rates of up to $50,000 per week during the January-April high season. The story of Les Jolies Eaux began with Colin Tennant, a Scottish aristocrat who purchased Mustique in the late 1950s for approximately £45,000. In 1960, following Margaret’s marriage to photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, Tennant offered her a choice between a conventional wrapped present and a piece of his Caribbean island. Margaret chose the land, receiving a 10-acre plot on a private peninsula towards the southern end of Mustique. In an interview published in Architectural Digest in October 1979, she explained that Messel had drawn the house while she handled the decorating. The residence has five bedroom suites and can accommodate up to 10 guests, according to the Mustique Company’s official listing.
She subsequently commissioned renowned British designer Oliver Messel to build a private holiday residence on the property, naming it Les Jolies Eaux, meaning ‘beautiful waters’. The villa became one of Margaret’s favourite retreats, where she spent holidays and entertained friends away from royal engagements and public attention. More than six decades later, the former royal residence is available for luxury holiday rentals. He envisioned transforming the relatively undeveloped island into an exclusive residential retreat for friends, wealthy visitors and members of the international elite. She first visited the island during her honeymoon Caribbean cruise aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. The property offered a secluded setting where she could spend time away from the formal responsibilities associated with royal life. Margaret commissioned Oliver Messel, a celebrated British theatrical and film designer, to create the residence. Messel was also the uncle of her husband, Antony Armstrong-Jones, later Lord Snowdon. He became one of the principal architects associated with Mustique’s distinctive residential style. The villa was designed around an open courtyard, with buildings arranged to take advantage of the tropical surroundings and sea views. Its architectural features included coral stone, airy interiors, covered outdoor spaces and a swimming pool surrounded by landscaped gardens. Construction began in the late 1960s, and the residence was completed in the early 1970s. It was named Les Jolies Eaux, a French expression meaning ‘beautiful waters’. Margaret also took a personal interest in its interiors. She wanted the interiors to reflect her own ideas about comfort and intimate living spaces. The residence featured blue-and-white decorative elements, patterned fabrics, porcelain plates and personal objects. Her bedroom, notably, was decorated in bright orange. A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was also displayed inside the house. Image: Getty Images The villa occupies a secluded position at the southern tip of Mustique, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Its landscaped grounds extend towards Gelliceaux beach, giving the property direct access to a quiet coastal setting. Its principal features include: A Great Room opening towards the swimming pool and gardens. Five bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. A private plunge pool. An open-sided dining pavilion beside the pool. Extensive lawns and landscaped tropical gardens. A home office and outdoor entertaining spaces. A children’s bunkroom available on request for an additional charge. The property’s layout combines indoor living spaces with open-air areas designed to make the most of the tropical climate. Its gardens and position near the coastline are among the features highlighted in the official rental description.
The villa became part of Princess Margaret’s personal history
In 1976, photographs of Margaret with landscape gardener Roddy Llewellyn were published in British newspapers. Their divorce was finalised in 1978. The Mustique Company’s official rental listing advertises a weekly rate of $35,000 for stays between May 1 and December 18, 2026, rising to $50,000 per week for the January 4 to April 30, 2027 season. The listed prices are subject to an 11% government tax and a 12% island fee. A discretionary staff gratuity of 5%-10% is also recommended. The five-bedroom property accommodates up to 10 guests, with a children’s bunkroom available for an additional charge. Mustique’s transformation into an exclusive holiday destination began under Colin Tennant, who purchased the island in 1958 and invested in infrastructure, roads and residential development.
Guests can therefore access hospitality services alongside the privacy of an independently rented residence. Because of its emphasis on privacy and limited commercial development, the island attracted wealthy visitors, celebrities and members of royal families, partly. Because of its connection to Princess Margaret and its history as a former royal residence, les Jolies Eaux remains among its best-known properties.
Its weekly price varies according to the season, with the January-April period carrying the higher rate. Mustique became an important destination in Margaret’s personal life, and she reportedly visited Les Jolies Eaux twice a year for much of her adult life. The island offered privacy and an informal environment in which she could spend time with friends away from Britain. The property also became associated with a widely publicised episode in her marriage. The pictures were taken during their time together on Mustique and attracted considerable media attention. The episode brought further attention to Mustique, reinforcing its image as a private Caribbean destination frequented by prominent personalities. The former royal residence is now available as a luxury holiday rental through the Mustique Company. Flights, food and beverages are charged separately. The villa comes with a dedicated team comprising a butler, chef, gardener and two housekeepers. The Mustique Company was subsequently established to oversee the island’s development and manage its properties. Musicians and public figures, including Mick Jagger, have also been associated with Mustique. Its residential landscape includes villas designed by architects and designers such as Oliver Messel, whose work helped establish the island’s distinctive architectural identity. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.
Margaret and Lord Snowdon had already been experiencing marital difficulties and had separated before the photographs appeared.