Following rumors that Prince William and Kate Middleton have been planning to move out of Adelaide Cottage soon, it sounds like we finally have our confirmation — and so do two other families who have been impacted by their choice. On Sunday, People confirmed that Will and Kate have settled on Forest Lodge as their next home, and preparations are already underway.
The earliest reports about the royal real estate shake-up were published by the Daily Mail. Two families who lived near Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom residence in Windsor Great Park, were required to leave their cottages before the Waleses move in. The cottages were rented out by the Crown Estate, and those who lived there “were not expecting” to be told to vacate.
“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,” a source told the outlet.
The good news? Fortunately, People was also able to confirm that these families have been able to move into similar or better properties in the same area. So while this certainly sounds like it must have been a bit of a stressful situation, at least it seems to have a happy ending.
Forest Lodge is much fancier (and roomier) than Adelaide Cottage, while still being just a few miles away from Lambrook School, which Charlotte, George, and Louis currently attend.
There may be a reason that Will and Kate decided to upgrade on such a large scale when it comes to their next home: According to People, royal insiders claim that they’re planning on staying put here for a long time. Forest Lodge will be Will and Kate’s “forever home” — even after he becomes king someday.
But considering that the couple has always done things a bit differently than the monarchs who have come before them, it’s not surprising at all to hear that they’d skip out on living at Buckingham Palace to live elsewhere, especially while their children are still growing up.
People have also reported that Will and Kate do not plan to have any live-in staff at Forest Lodge, including their longtime nanny, Maria Turrion Borrallo, who is expected to live in a smaller, separate property nearby.
Will and Kate also plan on paying for the move and any renovations to their new home themselves, and have already started to source furniture for the house, where they hope to be settled into by the Christmas holidays.
