Prince William’s Windsor Home Costs Him Way More Than What Previous Tenants Paid
Even after Prince William eventually becomes the King, Forest Lodge will remain the primary residence of his family.
Over the last few years, Prince William and Kate Middleton have gradually reshaped their living arrangements in search of a quieter life and increased privacy, especially for their kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. They were reportedly looking for a 'forever home' that supported their idea of a good family life, and their current residence in Windsor is believed to have provided exactly what they wished for. The Forest Lodge has given them more space, seclusion, and stability. However, a recent report has revealed that the Prince of Wales is paying a significantly higher rent for the property than the tenants who lived there before him.
In July last year, the Prince and Princess of Wales secured a 20-year lease of Forest Lodge located within Windsor Great Park, but the rental amount details were not made public at the time. As reported by The Telegraph, it is understood that the couple has now agreed to disclose the financial terms, as they have completed the registration of official property documents. Papers filed with the Land Registry show both of them named as the lease owners of Forest Lodge, and the agreement covers the main mansion along with two other cottages on the estate, which are designated for staff use.
It was further disclosed that the royals are paying an annual rent of £307,500 (~$410,000), a figure that is nearly 50 percent higher (around £100,000/$120,000 more) than what the previous occupants were paying. The iconic property was earlier rented out at £216,000 (~$288,000) a year to Alexander Fitzgibbons, who is the chairman of the event planning firm Fait Accompli. Alexander signed a joint rental agreement with Swedish businesswoman Cristina Stenbeck. The updated rent is said to have been fixed following three separate property valuations, conducted by Hamptons and Savills for the Crown Estate, along with an independent assessment from Knight Frank on behalf of the royal couple.
While the Wales family still has Kensington Palace as their official London home and also spends time at Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate, Forest Lodge is extra special. Reports suggest that even after William eventually becomes the King of the UK, the property will remain their primary residence. Before the couple shifted there last year, a source close to the Wales family said, “Windsor has become their home. However, over the last few years, while they have lived at Adelaide Cottage, there have been some really difficult times."
As reported by The Sun, the person added, “Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter, an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind. This is a move for the long-term. They see it as their forever home.” Meanwhile, in the summer of 2022, William and Kate shifted from Kensington Palace to the four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage. The move was widely seen as a deliberate step to test their everyday life in Windsor and see if it suited their family’s needs.
