The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children, are reportedly preparing for another significant residential change. After moving to the four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage in Windsor in 2022, the family is expected to relocate to Forest Lodge, a larger Georgian property also located on the Windsor estate.
This move marks the latest chapter in the couple's extensive history of homes, which began in a university dormitory in Scotland. From student flats to grand palace apartments, their residences have evolved alongside their public roles and growing family.
Key Takeaways
- The Prince and Princess of Wales are planning a move to Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom Georgian manor in Windsor.
- Their current residence is the four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage, also in Windsor, where they have lived since 2022.
- Throughout their relationship, the couple has lived in at least eight different properties, including university housing, a Welsh farmhouse, and apartments at Kensington Palace.
- As the Prince of Wales, William also inherited the Duchy of Cornwall, a vast property portfolio valued at approximately $1 billion.
A New Chapter at Forest Lodge
Recent reports indicate that Prince William and Princess Catherine are set to make Forest Lodge their primary residence. The move to the eight-bedroom Georgian manor is seen as a way for the family to establish a long-term home base while remaining close to their children's school in Windsor.
The relocation also follows a challenging period for the family, which included the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the Princess's recent cancer diagnosis. A royal source suggested the move offers an opportunity to create new memories in a different setting. Forest Lodge, which dates back to the 1770s, is just four miles from their current home.
Planning applications for minor alterations, including fireplace work and the removal of a window, were reportedly submitted to the local council ahead of the move. Similar to their arrangement at Adelaide Cottage, the family is not expected to have live-in staff, maintaining a degree of private family life.
The Windsor Era Begins at Adelaide Cottage
In 2022, the family made a significant shift by moving their main base from London to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor's Home Park. The move was driven by a desire for more privacy and to provide their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—with a more typical upbringing away from central London.
About Adelaide Cottage
Adelaide Cottage was built in 1831 as a summer retreat for Queen Adelaide, the wife of King William IV. The property is known for its picturesque design and is located a short ten-minute walk from Windsor Castle, which became a key royal residence for the late Queen Elizabeth II in her final years.
The four-bedroom cottage represented a notable downsize from their previous London apartment. During a public engagement, Princess Catherine mentioned the family's appreciation for the "green space" the Windsor location offered. The choice to live without resident staff was also a deliberate step towards a more modern and hands-on approach to royal family life.
London Life and Country Retreats
Before settling in Windsor, the Prince and Princess of Wales balanced their time between a formal London residence and a country estate in Norfolk, reflecting their dual roles as working royals and a young family.
Kensington Palace Apartment 1A
Following the birth of Prince George in 2013, the couple moved into Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace. Despite its name, the residence is a substantial four-story property with 20 rooms, including five reception rooms. It was previously the home of Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II's sister.
A Glimpse Inside
The public first saw the redecorated interiors of Apartment 1A in 2016 during a visit from U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Photographs from the event revealed a classically elegant and comfortable family home, rather than a formal palace interior.
An extensive renovation was completed before the family moved in, which included updating internal systems and removing asbestos. For nearly a decade, this apartment served as their official London base and the backdrop for many official duties.
Anmer Hall The Country Escape
As a wedding gift in 2011, Queen Elizabeth II gave the couple Anmer Hall, a 10-bedroom Georgian manor on the 20,000-acre Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. The couple undertook a significant, reported $2 million renovation before using it as their main home for a few years while Prince William worked as a pilot.
Anmer Hall became the family's primary residence again during the 2020 pandemic lockdowns. It provided a secluded and safe environment for their children and remains a cherished country retreat for the family during holidays and weekends.
Early Homes From Student Life to Royal Service
The couple's journey through various homes began long before they took on senior royal roles. Their early residences reflect their time as students, a developing relationship, and Prince William's military career.
University Days at St Andrews
Prince William and Catherine Middleton first met in 2001 as first-year students at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where they both lived in St. Salvators Hall, a university dormitory. By their second year, their friendship had grown, and they decided to move off-campus with two friends.
Their first shared home was a four-bedroom flat at 13A Hope Street. The landlady reportedly made an exception to her "no boys" policy for the future king. To ensure Prince William's security, the property was fitted with bulletproof windows and a bombproof door. For their final two years, seeking more privacy from media attention, they moved to Balgove House, a secluded four-bedroom cottage on the nearby Strathtyrum Estate, which was owned by a distant cousin of the Prince.
First Family Home in Wales
After their engagement in 2010, the couple's first home together was a rented farmhouse on the Bodorgan Estate on the isle of Anglesey in Wales. Prince William was stationed there as an RAF search-and-rescue pilot. They lived in this relatively modest and private home from 2011 to 2013.
"This island has been our first home together, and it will always be an immensely special place for us both. Catherine and I look forward to returning again and again over the coming years with our family."
The Welsh farmhouse is also considered Prince George's first home, as the family lived there for the first few months of his life. During this period, they used Nottingham Cottage, a small two-bedroom house on the grounds of Kensington Palace, as their London base.
The Duchy of Cornwall A Royal Inheritance
Upon his father's accession to the throne in 2022, Prince William inherited the title of Prince of Wales and with it, the Duchy of Cornwall. This is not a single residence but a vast private estate of land and property.
The Duchy by the Numbers
- Acreage: The estate covers approximately 130,965 acres across 20 counties.
- Value: The property portfolio is estimated to be worth around $1 billion.
- Income: It provides the Prince of Wales with an annual income of about $25.35 million after taxes.
The Duchy's holdings include Highgrove House, the much-loved country home of King Charles III. To continue living there, the King now leases the property from his son for a reported sum of approximately $786,000 per year. While the Prince of Wales manages the Duchy, he does not personally own the assets and cannot sell them.
