Prince William and Princess Kate to Break a 1,000-Year Royal Tradition with Bold Forest Lodge Move
Prince William and Kate Middleton announced on August 16 that they will be moving out of Adelaide Cottage later this year. While the Prince and Princess of Wales have chosen to keep the details about the move under wraps, reports suggest the couple have found their 'forever home' in Forest Lodge, a historic Georgian property in Windsor. It is also widely speculated that they may continue living in Forest Lodge even after William becomes King, breaking the 1,000-year-old royal tradition of monarchs residing only in palaces or castles.
Last week, a Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE, "The Wales family will move house later this year." After the statement, The Sun reported that the Prince and Princess of Wales were allegedly eyeing Forest Lodge, which is currently undergoing minor renovations ahead of the family’s relocation. A source told the Daily Mail, "This is for the long term and it's their intention to stay in Forest Lodge once he becomes King." For over 1000 years, reigning monarchs have resided in palaces or castles, with Buckingham Palace dubbed the 'Monarch HQ.' However, the insider revealed that William is allegedly taking a more 'pragmatic' approach, and stressed that Forest Lodge will be his family's only 'long-term' home.
Sources close to the couple claimed that their initial decision to shift from their apartment at Kensington Palace to Adelaide Cottage in 2022 was "designed to test a new location and see if it worked for them as a family." An insider explained, "They want to continue to do the school run, even if they are King and Queen." Another source dished that their move to Forest Lodge is a 'fresh start' for them after 'three really tough years,' referring to Middleton's battle with cancer last year, and Queen Elizabeth's death in 2022. The insider continued, "They are looking forward to creating many happy memories in their new home and leaving some of the unhappier ones behind."
While William and Middleton may allegedly break the centuries-old tradition by staying at Forest Lodge after the former's coronation, they will likely have no regrets. Royal correspondent Jennie Bond explained that William strives to give his three children as much of a private and normal childhood as possible, something which he did not enjoy growing up. She wrote for The i Paper, "After a childhood spent shuffling between the homes of his quarrelling parents, William is determined to give his family the stability he missed. And the fact is that they can have a great deal more privacy in a secluded house in Windsor Great Park than they could ever enjoy if they live in the middle of a major tourist attraction like the palace or castle."
Forest Lodge is a Grade II-listed, eight-bedroom mansion dating back to the 1770s. The three-storey residence features ornate plaster cornices, intricate ceiling decorations, exquisite marble fireplaces, and a striking half-barrel-vaulted ceiling. The property also includes six bathrooms, a long gallery, and a tennis court, a welcome addition for Princess Charlotte and the Princess of Wales, both known to be avid fans of the sport.