According to reports, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton with their children may move to their new permanent home in Windsor within weeks, leaving behind their countryside home, Adelaide Cottage. The family is moving to a larger property, Forest Lodge, which dates back to the Georgian era. This royal residence is located in a private part of Windsor Great Park and will remain their primary home for decades to come, even after William ascends the throne. Despite this exciting new venture, it is certain that the couple and their children will be sad to say goodbye to the Adelaide residence, which has witnessed many important moments in their lives over the years. A new location. Prince William and Kate Middleton previously lived in London with their family, in an apartment within the grounds of Kensington Palace. Victoria Murphy, royal correspondent for Town & Country, wrote at the time: “This move, which a palace source said was driven by their desire to live as normal a family life as possible, allows William and Kate the opportunity to provide a country upbringing for their children away from central London and the bustle of Kensington Palace.” In fact, it has become clear since then that the couple are keen to raise their children as naturally as possible given their circumstances. Setting the table, cooking dinner, and washing dishes, tasks that would have been unimaginable for heirs to the royal family in the past, have become part of the routine at Adelaide Cottage. William and Kate got rid of their private chefs and live-in nannies to preserve a semblance of a normal life for their very unique young family. From Vanity Fair. Space constraints. Royal expert Robert Hardman revealed in his 2024 book, “Charles III: The King. The New Court,” saying: “The couple (William and Kate) did not seek to increase the staff at the (Adelaide) home, due to the limited space available.” In his memoirs, “Time and Chance,” he said: “In the drawing room, surrounded by French windows, it was sometimes necessary to wear a coat and a scarf.” Since then, the countryside home has undergone some renovations that have made it more comfortable and luxurious. He added: “There certainly wasn’t a large staff, they were at home with the children.” Years ago, Kate said she prefers to cook herself, preparing meals for the family and cakes for her children on their birthdays. In the “Royal Birthday” program in 2019, the Princess said: “I love baking cakes. And they really did settle into the pink house quickly. This countryside house was originally built for Queen Adelaide, wife of King William IV, in 1831, and has been used by a number of kings. I love that.” The family will move to the larger, Georgian-era Forest Lodge property. When William and Kate moved there four years ago, Adelaide Cottage was the perfect place for their growing family. Peter Townsend, husband of Princess Margaret, was one of the most notable residents of Adelaide Cottage. The aviator moved to live with his wife and family in 1945 and stayed there for almost a decade, despite suffering from “a lack of amenities” at the property. Townsend described the house as an “icebox” in the winter, where it had only two fireplaces. When they moved to Adelaide Cottage in 2022, sources close to the couple told the Daily Mail that the goal was to “test a new location and see if it suits them as a family.” Of course, there was no issue with Windsor Great Park being a short car ride away from Lambrook, where their children George, Charlotte, and Louis are currently studying. Queen Victoria often visited the house for breakfast or tea, and her dog, Dash, was buried in the cottage garden.
