William and Catherine to establish a new home at Windsor's Forest Lodge

United News of India

6 hours ago

London, Aug 18 (UNI) The Prince and Princess of Wales are preparing to relocate to Forest Lodge, an elegant eight-bedroom residence nestled within Windsor Great Park, marking what palace insiders describe as "a fresh start" after an arduous period for the royal family.
The royal couple, accompanied by their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louise, will leave behind Adelaide Cottage, their four-bedroom home within Windsor Castle's grounds, where they have resided since August 2022.
Following 18 challenging months that saw the Princess endure a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment, the couple have resolved to embrace change. "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," a royal source told the BBC.
"Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter. It's an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind," the source added.
The royal couple see this as a move for the long-term and view Forest Lodge as their forever home. It will be where they plan to live as a family when the Prince and Princess of Wales become King and Queen. As with their four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage, it is understood they will not have any live-in staff as they focus on creating as private a family home as is possible.
William and Catherine announced they were moving from Kensington Palace in London to Windsor in August 2022, reports BBC.
They also have homes at Anmer Hall in Norfolk where they spend much of the school holidays and their offices remain at Kensington Palace.
The move to Windsor has been a successful one and afforded them the privacy and freedom that was more difficult to find in London. It is understood the family are settled and the children are happy at Lambrook School where all three currently attend. Any work carried out on Forest Lodge will not come from the Sovereign Grant which provides state funding for the monarchy.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are funding the move privately and they will pay market rent on the property.
Forest Lodge itself bears architectural charm and historical depth. Extensively restored in 2001 at a reported £1.5 million, it marries architectural charm with historic resonance, its vaulted interiors, decorative plasterwork and stone details evoking a refined past.
At the time of its renovation, it was valued at £15,000 per month in rent. Photographs from that time revealed intricate plaster cornices, vaulted hallways and stonework retaining the character of its heritage.
Redacted planning applications lodged with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead show permission for minor internal and external alterations was granted earlier this month.
The council's decision notice refers to the removal of a window and works to a fireplace. The Royal Family receives funding through a mix of public and private sources.
Prince William's private income comes from a variety of sources, including the Duchy of Cornwall, the estate which mainly covers land in south-west England and is worth £1bn.
A financial report for the duchy this year showed a profit of £22.9m, slightly down on the previous year when it generated a net surplus of £24m. Forest Lodge is nestled in the heart of the 4,800-acre Windsor Great Park.
Kate has spoken of her belief in the healing power of the natural world and described nature as her "sanctuary", while opening up about her "life-changing" cancer treatment.
She further showed her love for nature in the Mother Nature video series, which she launched in May.
The family hopes to move into the new property by Christmas and are said to be looking forward to creating many happy memories in their new home.
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