Fairytale Castle Rejected: Prince William and Kate Middleton Turned Down Offer From Late Queen Elizabeth to Live in Majestic Fortress
Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, once turned down an offer from the late Queen Elizabeth II to live in a grand castle.
The late Queen Elizabeth II once gave Prince William and Kate, the then-Duchess of Cambridge, an offer they couldn't refuse by offering the pair a chance to live in one of the monarchy's grandest castles.
According to Interior Therapist Suzanne Roynon, the estate's historic "negative energy" may have been a deciding factor in keeping the future king and queen away.
The future King William V and Queen Catherine politely declined HM, which was likely no surprise to her as she too passed on living in Fort Belvedere upon inheriting it in 1952. Her late Majesty's cousin, Gerald Lascelles lived in the castle instead, by invitation of the monarch.
"Interiors Therapy is a way of identifying what's happening in a home from the contents and can be very powerful," the therapist revealed. "In terms of Feng Shui and Interiors Therapy, the place William and Kate are suggested to be moving to, Fort Belvedere, is a nightmare in terms of negative energy. They will need a lot of careful Feng Shui to prevent the risky move [from] overwhelming the family."
The Windsor Great Park estate was originally built in the 18th century by Sir William Chambers for King George II, and the fort was designed as a folly, which is a decorative building without a true defensive purpose. It served various functions over the years, including a summerhouse and a tea house.
Fort Belvedere is most famously associated with King Edward VIII. It was his residence from 1929 until his abdication in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American socialite. This event, known as the Abdication Crisis, was a significant moment in British history, leading to Edward's younger brother, King George VI, ascending the throne.
After the abdication, Fort Belvedere ceased to be a royal residence and has been privately leased to various individuals. The building and its grounds are not open to the public, maintaining a degree of privacy and exclusivity. It is part of the massive Crown Estate, which also oversees the deed for the Royal Lodge, a place notorious thanks to the King and Prince Andrew's current feud over the mansion.
This insight follows reports from April that suggested the Prince and Princess of Wales were considering a major renovation and expansion project on one of their royal properties. Although the future king and queen are said to "absolutely adore" Adelaide Cottage on the grounds near Windsor Castle, the pair feel it is not quite as large for themselves and their family as their other country home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk, England.
The future king and queen, along with their three children, also maintain a large apartment in London's Kensington Palace, which is their official royal seat and office as well.
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InStyle reported on Roynon's remarks.
