Forest Lodge move confirmed

William and Kate plan to move to Forest Lodge by year end, a shift seen as prioritizing privacy and modern living for a monarchy in transition.

Forest Lodge Signals a New Era for the Prince and Princess of Wales

William and Kate will relocate from Adelaide Cottage to Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom home in Windsor Great Park, with the move expected by the end of the year. The property is valued at about $21 million and is described by insiders as a private, family-friendly space that fits a modern royal life while Buckingham Palace undergoes renovations through roughly 2027.

The eight-bedroom Forest Lodge once drew attention as a potential home for Princess Anne and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, after their 1973 wedding. They instead chose Oak Grove House at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and later Gatcombe Park, where Anne still resides. The tale underscores how royal real estate can shift with timing, taste, and dynasty planning, even as public interest remains high.

The move is less about a new address and more about a recalibration of royal life. By choosing a residence outside a traditional palace, William and Kate signal a focus on privacy, mental health, and family life as central to their public duties. The decision comes as the royal household faces ongoing palace renovations and a broader question of how a modern monarchy can stay accessible while shielding personal life from constant scrutiny.
The price tag and the location near Windsor will invite scrutiny from critics and supporters alike, especially as debates about public funding and royal privileges persist. Yet the narrative also hints at a monarchy that adapts to changing expectations without abandoning ceremonial duties, suggesting a balancing act between tradition and contemporary living.

Highlights

Where they live may say as much about the crown as what they do while in office.