Editing Flora MacDonald (section)

==The escape of Prince Charles Edward Stuart==
MacDonald was visiting [[Benbecula]] in the Outer Hebrides when [[Charles Edward Stuart|Prince Charles]] and a small group of aides took refuge there after the [[Battle of Culloden]] in June 1746. One of his companions, {{ill|Félix O'Neille y O'Neille|es|Félix O'Neille y O'Neille}},<ref> [https://www.dib.ie/biography/oneill-felix-a6922 Felix O'Neil], [[Dictionary of Irish Biography]]</ref> was a distant relative of MacDonald, who asked for her help. Benbecula was controlled by an pro-government [[Independent Highland Companies|Independent Highland Company]] commanded by MacDonald's step-father, Hugh MacDonald. This connection allowed her to obtain the necessary permits but she apparently hesitated, fearing the consequences for her family if they were caught. She may have been taking less of a risk than it appears, since witnesses later claimed Hugh advised the Prince where to hide from his search parties.{{sfn|Riding|2016|pp=465-467}}

[[File:Isle of Skye UK relief location map labels.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|Islands of [[Skye]] and [[Raasay]], [[Portree]] mid-left]]

Passes were issued allowing passage to the mainland for Flora MacDonald, and a party of eight, including Charles disguised as an Irish maid called Betty Burke. On 27 June, they landed near Sir Alexander's house at Monkstadt, near [[Kilbride, Skye]]. In his absence, his wife Lady Margaret arranged lodging with her steward, who told Charles to remove his disguise, as it simply made him more conspicuous. The next day, the Prince was taken from [[Portree]] to the island of [[Raasay]], while MacDonald remained on Skye.{{sfn|Riding|2016|pp=467-468}}

MacDonald was subsequently arrested and imprisoned in the [[Tower of London]]. After Lady Margaret interceded on her behalf with the chief Scottish legal officer, [[Duncan Forbes, Lord Culloden|Duncan Forbes]], she was allowed to live outside the Tower under the supervision of a "King's Messenger", and released after the June 1747 [[Act of Indemnity 1747|Act of Indemnity]].{{sfn|Riding|2016|pp=468-469}} Aristocratic sympathisers collected over £1,500 for her, one of the contributors being [[Frederick, Prince of Wales]]. She allegedly told Frederick she helped Charles out of charity, and would have done the same for him.{{sfn|MacLeod|1985|p=90}}