The grand transition of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, has officially brought them to their forever home—Forest Lodge in Windsor. The couple, both aged 43, along with their three precious offspring: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, have settled into their new abode amidst the school's half-term break, as reported by The Telegraph.
The relocation plans, initially announced in August, saw a Kensington Palace spokesperson confirm to PEOPLE magazine, "The Wales family will move house later this year." Prior to this, the family had tested the waters with their move to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor three years ago. The location not only provided a conducive environment for the children's education at the nearby Lambrook School but also facilitated a balanced lifestyle that allowed the Prince and Princess of Wales to juggle parenting and their royal duties seamlessly.
During the St. Patrick's Day parade in Ireland in March, the Duchess shared with the soldiers, "We are currently in Windsor. We were in London but moved here for more green space. It's close enough to London, yet not too far away." This move brought them closer to Kate's parents, Carole and Michael, who are actively involved in raising George, Charlotte, and Louis.
Forest Lodge serves as a fresh start for the family after a tumultuous few years. Their recent loss of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 was followed by William becoming the new heir to the throne upon King Charles' ascension. In 2024, both Kate and the King faced their own challenges when they were diagnosed with cancer; however, the Princess of Wales announced her remission in January.
Nestled at Forest Lodge, the family plans to make it their permanent residence even after William ascends the throne. Although situated just four miles away from Adelaide Cottage, Forest Lodge boasts an impressive eight bedrooms compared to Adelaide's four. The move has not deterred them from maintaining their tradition of not having live-in staff; instead, the children's nanny, Maria Turrion Borrallo, and housekeepers will likely remain at other properties on the estate.
Originally built in the 1770s as a Georgian-era mansion, Forest Lodge was purchased by the Crown Estate in 1829 and was occupied by the Deputy Ranger of Windsor Great Park until the 1930s. There were whispers in the 1970s that Princess Anne and her then-husband, Mark Phillips, might reside there; however, they never made the move.
Prince William and Kate's relocation to Forest Lodge has also seen changes in security measures around their new home. The Times reported that a 2.3-mile perimeter has been established around the property, which has denied local access to the Cranbourne Gate entrance and parking lot of Windsor Great Park that they had paid around $150 per year to use.
A local resident shared with The Sun, "Many of us have been walking our dogs here for 20 years; being told we can't anymore is like a kick in the teeth. We pay annually towards the upkeep of a park but are no longer allowed to use part of it." Another local resident, Tom Bunn, who regularly parked at Cranbourne Gate to take his 9-year-old dog for walks, expressed his understanding while acknowledging his dog's love for the area. "Obviously, it's disappointing as my dog loves it here," he said. "We come here every couple of weeks; now we'll have to find somewhere else for him to run around. But I completely understand that the safety of William, Kate, and their family is paramount; we should ensure they can live happily here."
