Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, are reportedly moving their family to a “forever home” in Windsor worth an estimated £16million. Kate Middleton and William are understood to have selected Forest Lodge, which used to be called Holly Grove, in Windsor Great Park, as their new home as Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis all grow older and want more space.
William and Kate are said to be funding all renovations themselves and it is reported they will not have live-in staff at the property which the King owns the freehold to. Kate is understood to have already been seen picking new furniture for the property, including a 24-seater table.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: “The Wales family will move house later this year.” According to The Sun, Forest Lodge would be worth about £16 million on the open market and the paper has reported work has already started on minor renovation at the Grade II-listed property.
The move will be a short one from family’s current main home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, and the children attend nearby Lambrook School. They also have homes at Anmer Hall in Norfolk and Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace in London.
The stunning eight-bedroom property is a far cry from the home the family moved into three years ago, as reported by the Mirror. Adelaide Cottage is a four-bedroom pad.
“Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter; an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind,” a source told The Sun. “This is a move for the long-term. They see it as their forever home.”
Inside look at Forest Lodge
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.
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.
Previously it has also been suggested the family could have a larger base through an annex building by Adelaide Cottage which would avoid them having to move.
“Nobody knows that there is quite a spacious red-brick annex building that’s not being used next door to Adelaide Cottage. It’s currently inhabitable and needs extensive renovation works if it were to be used,” a source told the Express.
“Discussions have been ongoing for a while about using the property as part of the overall cottage grounds, but it’s just about finding the right time to kick the project off.”
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