The estate agent describes it as 'one of London's most remarkable private residences' and draws attention to its 'magnificent walled gardens' and 'wonderfully peaceful setting'.

But what is not mentioned about Ormeley Lodge, which has just gone on the market at £25million, is the property's unique position in royal history.

For the house – which has been put on sale after the death of its owner Lady Annabel Goldsmith, last October at the age of 91 – was the scene of the only direct confrontation between King Charles's first wife, Princess Diana, and his then mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles.

It took place at the 40th birthday party of Queen Camilla's younger sister Annabel Elliot, which Lady Annabel hosted in 1989, long before the public knew about troubles in Charles and Diana's marriage of eight years.

Although Lady Annabel was a close friend of Diana, she did not expect her to attend the party.

'Yes, Diana's name was on the invitation, but everyone knew she always steered clear of anything where Camilla was involved,' Lady Annabel later told the Daily Mail's Richard Kay. 'I never thought for a minute she'd come.'

Mrs Parker Bowles complained bitterly about Diana's attendance as she got dressed for the party. 'The language was pretty fruity,' Lady Annabel recalled. 

The showdown took place when most of the guests, including the princess, had moved upstairs to a drawing room, but not Charles and Camilla. 

When Diana went back down to see where Charles was, she found him and Camilla sitting together talking with a male friend.

'Can you leave us,' she announced to Charles and the other man. 'I want to talk to Camilla alone.'

The two men left the room and Diana told Camilla: 'I would just like you to know that I know exactly what is going on. I'm sorry I'm in the way. It must be hell for both of you...don't treat me like an idiot.' 

Camilla responded: 'You've got everything you ever wanted. You've got all the men in the world falling in love with you and you've got two beautiful children. What more could you want?'

To which the princess replied: 'I want my husband.'

Ormeley Lodge was bought by Lady Annabel's husband, billionaire tycoon Sir James Goldsmith, in the mid-1970s.

The estate agent describes it as 'occupying an exceptional position' between Richmond Park and Ham Common. 

The sprawling 'exquisite early Georgian estate' in south-west London includes a tennis court and swimming pool.

Last night, one of Lady Annabel's five surviving children, the financier and environmentalist Ben Goldsmith, 45, told the Daily Mail: 'Ormeley has been our treasured home for our whole lives. But it's time now to pass it on to another lucky family.'