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Daily Mail
4 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.'
The Independent
8 hours ago
- The Independent
Golden eagles could be reintroduced to England for first time in 150 years
Golden eagles could be re-introduced into England for the first time in more than 150 years, after a study has found there are enough sites to support them. The bird of prey is sometimes seen in areas of northern England, like Northumberland, but these are from the growing population resident in southern Scotland. The species was wiped out in England in the 19th century because of persecution by those who saw them as a threat to livestock and game birds. The last-known golden eagle to have made a home in England disappeared from the reserve in the Lake District where it lived in 2015. Environment Secretary Steve Reed is now overseeing plans that could see the birds returned to England, as first reported by the Guardian newspaper. The PA news agency understands a feasibility study by Forestry England, not due to be published for several months, will conclude there is capacity to support a population of the birds. If such a scheme were to go ahead, it would likely mirror methods used to reintroduce red kites and sea eagles in other parts of the UK. Duncan Orr-Ewing, the head of species and land management at the bird charity the RSBP, told the Guardian the survival of golden eagle populations in England depended in the availability of prey. 'The main prey of golden eagles are things like grouse, rabbits, hares. But they can also take other things like deer calves, we've seen badgers, fox cubs, all of these sort of things. And you've got grouse moor estates. So I don't think prey availability is going to be a problem,' he told the newspaper. Defra said a reintroduction programme would also involve public engagement, and consider the impact of golden eagles on other species and the wider environment. A spokesperson for the department said: 'The recovery of golden eagles offers hope for the future of the species in Britain. Any next steps of their reintroduction in England will be set out in due course.'
The Guardian
9 hours ago
- The Guardian
Golden eagles poised for reintroduction in England
After more than 150 years, golden eagles could be set to return to England, as a study is expected to confirm there are enough suitable sites to support the reintroduction of the UK's most iconic bird of prey. Golden eagles, which can have a wingspan of more than 2 metres, are occasionally seen in areas such as Northumberland. However, these birds come from a growing population in southern Scotland. A recent project to reintroduce the birds in Scotland is likely to be a model for any reintroduction in England. Owing to persecution from gamekeepers and farmers, the species has been in effect extinct in England for about 150 years. The last native golden eagle, which lived alone on a reserve in the Lake District, disappeared in 2015. But after a decision to legally release beavers in England – a pair of the animals were released in Dorset in March – the environment secretary, Steve Reed, is overseeing plans that could lead to golden eagles being brought back. Forestry England has carried out a feasibility study into whether and how the species could be reintroduced. While this is not due to be published for several months, it is understood that it concludes there is the capacity to support a population of the birds. Reintroducing extinct species is a complex process and needs to follow guidelines set out by the France-based International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as well as being licensed by Natural England, the government's nature watchdog. The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project offers a recent example to follow. While there are thriving populations of the birds in the Western Isles and Hebrides and in the north of mainland Scotland, with up to 600 breeding pairs in all, there were formerly only a handful in the south of the country. However, an official reintroduction programme begun in 2018 has led to the population growing from little more than three or four pairs to more than 50 – more than had been recorded in the region for more than 300 years. According to Duncan Orr-Ewing, the head of species and land management at the bird charity the RSBP, an English scheme would most likely follow the same model, with the focus likely to be the north of England. In the Scottish scheme, single chicks were taken from broods of two in established populations when they were about six to eight weeks old and then fed remotely with minimal human contact before they were released at specially chosen sites, with food initially provided until they could hunt for themselves. Such a method has also been used in reintroducing red kites and sea eagles, and has tended to work well, Orr-Ewing said, with high survival rates for the southern Scotland golden eagle project. While this depended on there being enough suitable sites containing sufficient prey, in the north of England this is unlikely to be an issue. Orr-Ewing said: 'The main prey of golden eagles are things like grouse, rabbits, hares. But they can also take other things like deer calves, we've seen badgers, fox cubs, all of these sort of things. And you've got grouse moor estates. So I don't think prey availability is going to be a problem.' The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said a reintroduction programme for England would also look at public engagement and would consider the impact on other species and the wider environment. A Defra spokesperson said: 'The recovery of golden eagles offers hope for the future of the species in Britain. Any next steps of their reintroduction in England will be set out in due course.' Reintroducing birds and animals to places where they were previously extinct is a complex process, but there have been a series of examples in recent years. Beavers The Eurasian beaver is native to Britain but was hunted to extinction about 400 years ago. About 20 years ago some were seen in Scotland, believed to have been illegally released into the wild. A formal reintroduction scheme in Scotland began in 2021 and the country now has an estimated population of about 1,500. After a similar scheme was begun in England, the first legally released animals were set free in Dorset in May. In July it emerged that no subsequent licences for beaver release had been granted, despite 40 expressions of interest. Bison In 2022, three bison were released into Kent woodland, the first wild examples of the creature in Britain for thousands of years. While this has so far been a one-off, the herd has expanded to six, and the bisons' impact on the area has been credited with boosting biodiversity. The same conservation project has since also released a species known as the iron age pig, a cross between wild boar and domestic pigs that are similar to the wild pigs that roamed much of Europe thousands of years ago. It has also released longhorn cattle and Exmoor ponies. Red kites Red kites had been common but loss of habitat and egg stealing meant that by the 1980s they had gone from England, with only a few pairs in Wales. In July 1990, two Welsh red kites and 11 from Spain – the chicks were brought in on a British Airways flight – were released in the Chiltern Hills, a process repeated over the next four years, with similar schemes happening in other areas. Red kites are now commonly seen in the Chilterns and there are an estimated 2,000 breeding pairs in England, distributed across almost the whole country.
