Britain's Prime Minister Anthony Eden last week made a flying trip to Balmoral to consult his Queen. At the same time, Group Captain Peter Townsend, R.A.F., announced from his diplomatic post in Brussels that he was planning a return to England on leave sometime after Oct. 9.
Though neither of these incidents was remarkable in itself, taken together they were more than coincidence. Eden was taking along to Balmoral for the Queen's approval a statement carefully prepared by the Lord Chancellor announcing Princess Margaret's engagement to Peter Townsend.
Only a few of the topmost government officials know the precise content of the statement....