Prince William Might Have a ‘Difficult Conversation’ About His Forest Lodge Move, Says Expert
Prince William and Kate Middleton are reportedly preparing to move from Adelaide Cottage to Forest Lodge, a historic Georgian property in Windsor Great Park. On August 16, their spokesperson confirmed that the pair would be leaving Adelaide later this year. It is also widely speculated that the couple will continue to live at Forest Lodge even after William ascends the throne. Commenting on the same, royal expert Robert Hardman believes the Prince could face a 'difficult' conversation with the future U.K. Prime Minister if he chooses to remain at Forest Lodge as King.
Speaking to GB News, Hardman discussed William's alleged hope to remain in his 'forever home', Forest Lodge, rather than move into one of the royal family's iconic palaces. He said, "I don't think that's tenable. When the late Queen came to the throne in 1952, she and Prince Philip had just done up Clarence House as a sort of family home with their two young children. They loved it, and they didn't want to move." He continued, "[T]hey presented [their plans] to the prime minister, Winston Churchill, and it was Churchill who said, 'No, no, no, you've got to move in [to Buckingham Palace]. The monarch has to live [there].'"
Hardman hence opined, "That will be a difficult conversation for whichever Prime Minister it is because... when Churchill said. 'I think you belong at Buckingham Palace, would you please go there?' Then that's what you did. Of course, [William] will be a harder nut to crack for a future PM, but I think Buckingham Palace depends on having a visceral connection between the monarch and Royal HQ." Sources, meanwhile, have explained that the Prince and Princess of Wales are eager to move given their 'difficult time' at Adelaide, Middleton's 2024 cancer diagnosis, and Queen Elizabeth's demise in September 2022.
Royal expert Robert Jobson, however, advised the Prince of Wales to be careful if he is looking for a quieter life. Speaking on The Sun's Royal Exclusive show, he said, “People do turn out when they see, particularly people like Sophie Wessex and the new Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward...They like that connection. And if you lose that connection, the monarchy actually loses something that it’s about. I think you’ve got to be careful what you wish for." Royal correspondent Matt Wilkinson also echoed, "Charles as King doesn’t have a very young family that he has to make sure he’s at home when they get back from school […] that’s what William enjoys."
Hardman acknowledged the pressures of raising three young children after 'a difficult time' but argued, "The role of the monarch is one where duty has to come first...The reality is that it is the job. It’s a job for life, and it’s a job that’s pretty relentless." Notably, it is also reported that the Waleses are covering the rent of Forest Lodge themselves, with no extra cost to the taxpayer.