Neighbours 'asked to move out homes' to make way for William and Kate
William and Kate are preparing to make eight-bedroom Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park their 'forever home' later this year.
The couple and their three children are said to be planning to remain in the Grade-II listed property even after William becomes King.
Two separate families who lived in cottages next to the 300-year-old mansion in Berkshire were asked to vacate their properties earlier this summer, according to the Mail on Sunday.
The homes, converted from Forest Lodge's stables, are understood to have been rented out by the monarch's Crown Estate and the tenants are said to have been 'surprised' at the request.
It's understood that there have been no eviction notices and that some tenants have moved to similar or better housing within the Great Park.
All of the residents remain in Crown Estate properties.
One well-connected source said: 'They were told to move out. I guess they were given somewhere else, but they were told they had to move.
'They were not expecting it. Those houses are very close to the lodge, so they're not going to want any Tom, Dick or Harry living in those houses if there are going to be royals there.'
The couple and their children, George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, seven, currently live in Windsor at four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage, around four miles away from their new home.
The residence, nestled in the heart of the 4,800-acre park, is a considerable upgrade on their current home, with a chandelier-lit ballroom, tennis court, Venetian windows and extensive grounds.
William and Kate, both 43, have been with their children at the cottage near Windsor Castle for the past three years, which has coincided with a difficult time for the royal family.
Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle weeks after they moved in.
In 2024, both King Charles and Kate announced they had been diagnosed with cancer. And there has been the continued split with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle since their move to the US. More Trending
William and Kate are hoping for a 'fresh start' at Forest Lodge and an opportunity to leave some of their more unhappy memories behind them, according to royal insiders.
It is understood they are paying for the move to the property, believed to be worth £16 million, at no extra cost to taxpayers.
The royal couple also has homes at Anmer Hall in Norfolk and Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace.
MORE: Security fears after confidential Buckingham Palace documents released online
MORE: Declassified files reveal 'large number' of security scares at Windsor Castle
MORE: Security plans at Windsor Castle reveal King's secret staircase to outside world
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Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
William and Kate to live at Forest Lodge home even after becoming King and Queen
William, Kate, and children George, Louis and Charlotte are moving to eight-bedroom Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park (Picture: Reuters) The Prince and Princess of Wales are moving to a new 'forever home' in Windsor. William, Kate, and children George, Louis and Charlotte are moving to eight-bedroom Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park. The family are hoping for a 'fresh start' after a tough three years at their current home, Adelaide Cottage, according to insiders, during which Queen Elizabeth died, and King Charles and Kate were both diagnosed with cancer. The royal couple are paying for the property and renovations themselves, avoiding any extra cost to the taxpayer, it is understood. 'Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter,' a royal source told the BBC. Sign up for all of the latest stories Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens. 'It's an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind.' The family will remain at Forest Lodge for the long term, and it is understood they will continue living there even after the Prince and Princess of Wales become King and Queen. Forest Lodge, formerly known as Holly Grove, in Windsor Great Park (Picture: English Heritage/) Two separate families who lived in cottages next to the 300-year-old mansion in Berkshire were reportedly asked to vacate their properties earlier this summer. The homes, converted from Forest Lodge's stables, are understood to have been rented out by the monarch's Crown Estate and the tenants are said to have been 'surprised' at the request. It's understood that there have been no eviction notices and that some tenants have moved to similar or better housing within the Great Park. All of the residents remain in Crown Estate properties. One well-connected source said: 'They were told to move out. I guess they were given somewhere else, but they were told they had to move. 'They were not expecting it. Those houses are very close to the lodge, so they're not going to want any Tom, Dick or Harry living in those houses if there are going to be royals there.' Work has already started on minor renovation at the Grade II-listed property, according to reports. 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. A view of Forest Lodge during renovation work (Picture: PA) In 2001, Forest Lodge underwent £1.5 million restoration works and was put on the rental market for £15,000 a month. Images inside the home taken at the time showed the property boasted original stonework, elaborate plaster cornices and ceiling decoration, and a half-barrel vaulted hallway ceiling. The Waleses' move will be a short one from their current main home, and the children attend nearby Lambrook School. They also have homes at Anmer Hall in Norfolk and Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace in London. As heir to the throne, William inherited the Duchy of Cornwall estate, a portfolio of land, property and investments valued at more than £1 billion, when his father became King. According to The Sun, Forest Lodge would be worth about £16 million on the open market. The freehold is owned by the King. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. Arrow MORE: Everything to know about Kate and Wills' old (and new) home in three minutes Arrow MORE: How Princess Anne earned her nickname as 'hardest working royal' Arrow MORE: King Charles says war heroes will 'never be forgotten' in VJ Day national address
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Daily Mail
William and his family will live in Forest Lodge even when he is King, reveals REBECCA ENGLISH. So what will become of Buckingham Palace?
Almost exactly 85 years ago, German bombs struck Buckingham Palace. As the Queen Mother stood among the rubble and debris, she memorably remarked that she could finally 'look the East End in the face'. It became a point of national pride that she and her husband, King George VI, refused to leave their London residence during the Second World War. Yet, almost nine decades on from those devastating raids, the landmark faces an even more uncertain future – as a palace without a king. With the news that the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to move to a new 'forever home' – Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park – the spotlight is being shone on the Royal Family 's huge portfolio of properties, and the ever-dwindling number of tenants to occupy them. The Daily Mail has been told that it is William's 'intention' to remain in their new Grade II-listed property even after he accedes to the throne. 'This is for the long term and it's their intention to stay in Forest Lodge once he becomes king,' a source said. Understandably this has prompted serious questions in royal circles about the long-term viability of both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, as well as other private royal estates such as Sandringham in Norfolk and Balmoral in the Scottish Highlands, which the prince is eventually set to inherit. Locals say the eight-bedroom Forest Lodge is a definite 'step up' from the family's current four-bedroom home, Adelaide Cottage, where they have lived since 2022 (after deciding to leave London and move to Berkshire while their children were still young). Once described as a 'very substantial house in one of the loveliest parts of the country', the Georgian mansion dates back to the 1770s. The three-storey home boasts elaborate plaster cornices and ceiling decoration, exquisite marble fireplaces and a half-barrel-vaulted ceiling. It also has six bathrooms, a long gallery and a tennis court, which will doubtless suit the sporty Princess of Wales. Since the lodge was acquired by the Crown in 1829, a number of equerries, private secretaries and other royal staff have lived there. It underwent a £1.5 million refurbishment in 2001 so that it could be rented out commercially. Although well beyond the means of most families, Forest Lodge is certainly not grand – particularly when it comes to an heir to the throne. William's decision to live there shows his determination to adopt a more 'relatable' way of living, in comparison with Prince Andrew's vast 30-room Royal Lodge just a short drive away in the Great Park, or Prince Edward's Bagshot Park, which is said to boast between 50 and 120 rooms. The Waleses will pay a market rent for Forest Lodge, which is never publicly disclosed for commercial reasons. (The freehold is owned by the Crown Estate which also owns the freehold to Prince Andrew's home.) Plans have already been approved by the local council for a limited amount of internal and external renovations, which William and Catherine are funding themselves. Building works have already begun, with the family hoping to move in by the end of the year. Sources close to the couple stress their initial decision to up-sticks from their apartment at Kensington Palace to Adelaide Cottage in 2022 was 'designed to test a new location and see if it worked for them as a family' – and it very much has. Currently, all three children attend Lambrook School, a short drive away in Bracknell, and are said to be 'thriving' in the new environment. William and Catherine remain determined to be as hands-on as possible with their children while continuing to work as senior members of the Royal Family. Living in Windsor, insiders say, offers them the opportunity to do just that. 'They want to continue to do the school run, even if they are king and queen,' adds a source. Friends also say the move to Forest Lodge will allow the family to start a new chapter after a 'challenging' few years which have seen both the Princess of Wales and King Charles diagnosed with cancer. While Catherine is now in remission, a source says of the move: 'It's a fresh start for them after three really tough years. 'They are looking forward to creating many happy memories in their new home and leaving some of the unhappier ones behind.' There will be no live-in staff, butlers or valets for the Waleses at Forest Lodge – an illustration of just how fiercely they guard their privacy. The same applies currently at Adelaide Cottage. However, there are 'five or six' two- and three-bedroom cottages – currently occupied by estate staff – just a few hundred yards away from the Waleses' new home. Locals understand these will be occupied by the family's security detail, housekeeper and nanny after they move in. Extra security will also be needed as Forest Lodge is outside Windsor Castle's 'ring of steel'. One local tells me: 'The lodge is on a private road, close to a little village with a shop, a post office and a tea shop, which is mainly used by staff. 'It's about as isolated as you can get there, so you can see the attraction for them. 'It's situated in a huge private chunk of Windsor Great Park and the children can go out cycling for miles and not come anywhere near any of the local residents. 'There's a nearby fishing lake that's open only to staff, but that's it. It's also a lot closer – probably a 15-minute drive – to their current school.' The only concern for locals, I am told, is what will happen to their Christmas tree shop each year. 'It's run by the royal estate and is hugely popular,' says one local source. 'Thousands of people from the area come to buy home-grown Windsor trees each year over a glass of mulled wine. 'But it means people will be driving past their front door all day over the festive season and people think it will have to be moved. Generally, though, I think most are excited to see their new neighbours.' Interestingly, it seems the couple will continue to work out of Kensington Palace where their Royal Foundation and Catherine's Centre for Early Childhood are based, along with their household staff and press office. They will also retain their existing 20-room residence, Apartment 1A, at Kensington Palace, and Anmer Hall, their Norfolk retreat. However there are likely to be growing questions over the viability of their London base – not least because the Kensington apartment was refurbished in 2014 at a cost of £4.5 million to the public purse and is now used barely a handful of times a year. Might the Waleses be persuaded to use a suite of rooms in Buckingham Palace instead, allowing the Kensington apartment to be rented out commercially? It might make sense, say some. As for Windsor Castle, which was once earmarked for William and Catherine by the late Queen, the prospect of a full or even part-time royal resident after Charles also looks unlikely. But that is less concerning to many than the future of Buckingham Palace, the sovereign's official London residence, not least because £369 million of public funds is currently being invested in a top-to-toe refurbishment – including a complete redecoration of the late Queen's suite of rooms. At present, no members of the Royal Family reside at the Palace due to this mammoth ten-year re-servicing programme, which is required to bring the crumbling royal residence up to scratch. There is no doubt the works were overdue and badly needed. The Palace's pre-war electrics were verging on dangerous for such an historic building. But, without a king in situ – or even in proximity – will people really feel this is justified? One of the biggest attractions of Buckingham Palace, whether you are visiting it as a head of state, one of the 50,000 guests who attend garden parties, receptions and functions held there each year or even just as a paying punter in the summer months, is that it is the living, breathing heart of the institution. Will it have the same attraction as the nation's most-gilded museum when there is no monarch in residence? Palace aides have always carefully insisted that Charles 'intends' to take up residence in 'Monarchy HQ', as Buckingham Palace is dubbed. However, others think that is unlikely now he and the Queen are well established in the more private and homely surrounds of neighbouring Clarence House. It's worth noting that the building works are not due to be concluded until 2027, when King Charles will be 78 and William 45. A well-placed source tells me that William will be taking an even more 'pragmatic' approach to Buckingham Palace in the future, stressing that Forest Lodge will be his family's only 'long-term' home. To all intents and purposes, then, he will be the first monarch since medieval times not to live in a castle or a palace. Like his father, William is keen to open Buckingham Palace to a greater number of tourists each year than at present. This would generate funds for its future upkeep while lessening pressure on the public purse. The Prince of Wales also wants to see the amount of official entertaining that goes on at the Palace expanded, possibly even using it for government and charitable events. While Sandringham and Balmoral are very much private royal estates with no public funding, it seems that they, too, could undergo a subtle change of status, and be opened to visitors on more days than in the past. All of these are clearly sensible ideas. And yet concerns remain – particularly when it comes to Buckingham Palace. Those I have spoken to are choosing their words carefully, knowing how important it has been to William to ensure that family – rightly – comes first. As one insider says: 'The late Queen said she had to be seen to be believed. I just hope that the Prince of Wales can find the right balance between raising his family away from the public glare at Windsor with the presence required of him as a future, and eventual, head of state.'
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Neighbours 'asked to move out homes' to make way for William and Kate
Two families were reportedly asked to leave their homes in order to make way for the Prince and Princess of Wales's move to a new mansion. William and Kate are preparing to make eight-bedroom Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park their 'forever home' later this year. The couple and their three children are said to be planning to remain in the Grade-II listed property even after William becomes King. Two separate families who lived in cottages next to the 300-year-old mansion in Berkshire were asked to vacate their properties earlier this summer, according to the Mail on Sunday. The homes, converted from Forest Lodge's stables, are understood to have been rented out by the monarch's Crown Estate and the tenants are said to have been 'surprised' at the request. It's understood that there have been no eviction notices and that some tenants have moved to similar or better housing within the Great Park. All of the residents remain in Crown Estate properties. One well-connected source said: 'They were told to move out. I guess they were given somewhere else, but they were told they had to move. 'They were not expecting it. Those houses are very close to the lodge, so they're not going to want any Tom, Dick or Harry living in those houses if there are going to be royals there.' The couple and their children, George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, seven, currently live in Windsor at four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage, around four miles away from their new home. The residence, nestled in the heart of the 4,800-acre park, is a considerable upgrade on their current home, with a chandelier-lit ballroom, tennis court, Venetian windows and extensive grounds. William and Kate, both 43, have been with their children at the cottage near Windsor Castle for the past three years, which has coincided with a difficult time for the royal family. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle weeks after they moved in. In 2024, both King Charles and Kate announced they had been diagnosed with cancer. And there has been the continued split with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle since their move to the US. More Trending William and Kate are hoping for a 'fresh start' at Forest Lodge and an opportunity to leave some of their more unhappy memories behind them, according to royal insiders. It is understood they are paying for the move to the property, believed to be worth £16 million, at no extra cost to taxpayers. The royal couple also has homes at Anmer Hall in Norfolk and Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace. MORE: Security fears after confidential Buckingham Palace documents released online MORE: Declassified files reveal 'large number' of security scares at Windsor Castle MORE: Security plans at Windsor Castle reveal King's secret staircase to outside world
