Prince William and Princess Kate are busy preparing for their new move to Forest Lodge within the Windsor estate. The Waleses will be leaving their cherished Adelaide Cottage, which has served as their residence for several years.
They are due to complete the move later this year, and it has emerged that the couple and their children George, Charlotte and Louis will probably remain at Forest Lodge when William becomes King, instead of relocating to one of the more distinguished Royal properties, including Buckingham Palace.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond has now disclosed the reasoning behind this major relocation, and how it connects to William’s upbringing within the Royal Family.
The former BBC Royal correspondent explained to the Mirror: “William is focused on creating a stable and private family life: the kind he never had when he was growing up. And so he wants to keep his family firmly rooted.
“He’s already defined the way he wants to do things: he calls it royalty with a small R. And I think a ‘forever’ home at Forest Lodge is in keeping with that philosophy.”
While many have noted how William’s future residential arrangements will represent a substantial departure from Royal convention, given he would become the first sovereign not to reside in a castle or palace, Jennie considers that breaking protocol will not be William’s primary concern as he establishes his own fresh chapter of the monarchy. “I don’t think William is going to bat an eyelid about breaking certain royal traditions,” she said.
“He doesn’t want to live in a palace or a castle and he has made up his mind to do things differently. Living in a house – albeit a pretty big house as Forest Lodge is – will give his family a much more normal life, and that, I’m sure, is going to stand them in good stead.”
Following Jennie Bond’s direct encounters with the Royal household, she reckons that William and Kate are poised to mirror Diana’s approach in establishing a cosy, welcoming domestic setting for their offspring, whilst distancing themselves from the ceremonial grandeur typically linked with the monarchy when crafting their permanent residence.
She added: “I have spent time with the King at his Highgrove home and with Diana in her apartment at Kensington Palace. Both were quite cosy and comfortable. Diana, in particular, had a light touch with the décor: squashy sofas, soft colours and nothing too staid.
“And I think that’s the kind of atmosphere William wants his children to grow up in, which is why he’s made it quite clear that he doesn’t intend to move to Windsor Castle, or indeed to Buckingham Palace, when the time comes for him to become king.”
Whilst Kate has served as a working Royal for over ten years, Jennie suspects that residing in a more humble dwelling rather than one of the Royal residences will be embraced by the Princess of Wales, who wasn’t raised under public scrutiny like her spouse. Jennie stated: “All of which is probably a great relief for Catherine who, of course, grew up in a “normal” happy family home and would probably hate the idea of living in a huge, draughty, ancient castle, or a palace in the centre of London with nearly 800 rooms.”
The Royal expert further commented that their permanent residence will bring a sense of normality and comfort to their lives as they continue to serve the Royal Family and prepare for William, and eventually Prince George, to ascend the throne.
“There is enough about being royal that must seem seriously odd,” Bond remarked. “At least the place you call home should be somewhere you feel comfortable and comforted.”
