Kate Middleton & Prince William are turning the page to a new chapter of royal life. The royal family has officially made Forest Lodge in Windsor their new home. The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 43, recently moved in with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, during the school half-term, The Telegraph reports.
(Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)The move marks a new beginning for the family, who had been living at Adelaide Cottage since 2022. A Kensington Palace spokesperson previously told People that the relocation would happen later this year, and the Wales family is now said to be happily settled into their new surroundings.
Why Windsor Feels Like Home
When William & Kate first left Kensington Palace for Adelaide Cottage three years ago, the decision was a trial run to see if Windsor would suit their growing family. The area proved ideal, offering both privacy and proximity to their children’s school, Lambrook.
Speaking at the Irish Guards’ St. Patrick’s Day parade in March, People reported Kate explaining: “We are in Windsor at the moment. We were in London, but moved there for more green space. It’s close enough to London, not too far away.”
The Windsor move also places the couple closer to Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, who have always been hands-on grandparents.
Inside Forest Lodge: A Royal Upgrade
Located just four miles from Adelaide Cottage, Forest Lodge offers more room for the family, with eight bedrooms compared to Adelaide’s four. As per Architectural Digest, built in the 1770s and owned by the Crown Estate since 1829, the Georgian-style mansion once housed the Deputy Ranger of Windsor Great Park.
Over the years, it was rumored that Princess Anne and her then-husband, Mark Phillips, might move in, though the plan never materialized. For William & Kate, Forest Lodge is now being described as their “forever home,” where they intend to stay even after William becomes king, as per a BBC report.
The couple’s new residence symbolizes a fresh start after a few challenging years. Following Queen Elizabeth’s passing in 2022 and King Charles’s cancer diagnosis, Kate announced in January that she was in remission after her own health battle.
Tighter Security & Local Reactions
(Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)With the Wales family’s arrival, security around Forest Lodge has been heightened. The Times reported that a 2.3-mile perimeter now surrounds the property, and locals have lost access to parts of Windsor Great Park.
“Many of us have been walking our dogs here for 20 years, so to be told we can’t any more is a kick in the teeth,” one local told The Sun.
“We pay annually towards the upkeep of a park, but we are no longer going to be allowed to use part of it.”
Another resident, Tom Bunn, expressed understanding despite the changes. “Obviously, it’s disappointing as my dog loves it here. We come here every couple of weeks, and we’re going to have to find somewhere else now for him to get the miles in,” he told the outlet. “But I completely understand that the safety of William, Kate, and their family is paramount, so we should make sure they can live happily here.”
