Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Neighbor Shares What They're Really Like in Private: ‘I Was…’

Prince William and Kate Middleton make an appearance at the Open Door Charity.
May 28 2025, Published 10:58 a.m. ET
Prince William and Kate Middleton reside in Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Great Park, with their three children. Before moving to the property in 2022, seeking more privacy for their kids, the Prince and Princess of Wales lived at Kensington Palace. Their neighbor, a student living near the royal property, once revealed what William and Middleton were really like without the cameras.
Julie Phillips gushed that the Prince and Princess were ‘excellent neighbors’. Phillips, an attorney, dished what it was like living beside the royal couple in an episode of Jeopardy! As reported by The Mirror, when host Ken Jennings quizzed her about her famous neighbors, she explained, “I study abroad in London and did not know where my flat would be located before I arrived and was shocked to discover it was across the street from Kensington Palace which was the home of Prince William and Princess Kate as well as their son George.” She added that William and Middleton were 'super friendly' and 'always waved.' Surprisingly, when asked if they took out their trash, the attorney answered in the affirmative.
While Phillips enjoyed a rare glimpse of her royal neighbors, she was among the fortunate few to have had the experience. As per the Daily Mail, Kensington Palace staff had taken extra measures to protect the couple’s privacy by including partially frosted windows in one of the upper-floor rooms to stop the public from peeking into their private residence. Certain parts of the Palace, which contained the offices and London residences of the Waleses and their children, are available for guests. Despite being referred to as their ‘apartment’, the residence is said to be 'enormous' with more than 20 rooms.
The Princess of Wales is reportedly also a delight to their neighbors in Anmer Hall, the couple's holiday residence in Norfolk. According to People magazine, she likes to have her kids lead a normal life by taking them to birthday parties of their neighbors' children. The outlet reports that the Princess had surprised her Norfolk neighbors by remembering all their children's names. A friend said, “She is very good at setting boundaries, which helps keep everything running smoothly. But the family is the priority, always.” William and Middleton also unveiled special plans in December last year to aid the mental well-being of their rural neighbors.
William and Middleton also share their plush Norfolk Estate with another famous neighbor. Lord David Cholmondeley and his wife, Sarah Rose Cholmondeley, aka Rose Hanbury, live just four miles from Anmer Hall. Both royal couples were reportedly close friends before rumors of an affair between William and Hanbury ran rampant. After Middleton’s surprise abdominal surgery, Hanbury and her husband sent her well-wishes. An insider claimed, “Kat’s Norfolk neighbors, the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley, David, and Rose, have sent their prayers and love to the Princess amid her health worries.” The couple’s son, Oliver Cholmondeley, also served as King Charles’s Page of Honor during his 2023 coronation.