William and Kate swap homes as family prepares to settle in 328 year old lodge
The Prince and Princess of Wales have confirmed a fresh chapter for their young family, announcing they will relocate to Forest Lodge, a grand Georgian residence in Windsor Great Park, later this year.
The move marks the end of a turbulent three years at Adelaide Cottage, the family’s current four-bedroom home. William, Kate, and their children — George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, 7 — are expected to settle into their new home in time for Christmas. Courtiers have already dubbed Forest Lodge their “forever home”, with speculation it could remain their primary residence even after William becomes King.
Forest Lodge, a Grade II-listed property, sits discreetly inside the 4,800-acre grounds of Windsor Great Park. Built in the late 17th century and formally listed in 1972, the red-brick home features eight bedrooms and an array of striking period details. Visitors will find Venetian windows, marble fireplaces, a barrel-vaulted entrance hall, and ornate stucco mouldings that echo the craftsmanship of its Georgian origins. The estate is not only historic but scenic. Its elevated position reportedly provides sweeping views, including the Wembley Stadium arch on a clear day — a detail sure to delight William, a lifelong football fan.
Although the property is not on the open market, experts suggest Forest Lodge could command as much as £16 million if sold. It last underwent extensive renovation in 2001, when £1.5 million was spent to prepare it for rental at £15,000 a month. This summer, William and Kate secured approval for further restoration work. Plans include replacing doors and windows, stripping out certain internal walls, renovating ceilings, and laying new floors. The works, approved by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, will be paid for privately by the Waleses. Their choice to self-fund stands in contrast to the controversy sparked when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle faced calls to repay the £2.4 million in taxpayer money spent refurbishing Frogmore Cottage before their move to the United States.
The family relocated to Adelaide Cottage in 2022, leaving Kensington Palace in central London for what was seen as a quieter, more manageable base in Berkshire. The move also coincided with the children enrolling at Lambrook School nearby. But those three years have been shadowed by upheaval. The death of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles’s cancer diagnosis, and Kate’s own battle with cancer have made life at Adelaide Cottage far from the fresh start the couple envisioned.
Forest Lodge, larger and more private, is seen as an opportunity to reset. Friends suggest the Waleses hope it will become the home where their children spend the rest of their childhoods and where the family can create happier memories. Royal observers note that William and Kate’s decision carries symbolic weight. By anchoring themselves in Windsor Great Park, they not only align with centuries of royal tradition but also signal a desire for stability after years of turmoil.
The contrast between the modest Adelaide Cottage and the grandeur of Forest Lodge is stark. While the former was practical, the latter is aspirational — a property fit for a future King and Queen. As the couple prepare for the move, Forest Lodge stands ready: its Venetian windows catching the summer light, its historic walls awaiting the noise of royal children. For the Wales family, this is more than a change of address. It is the promise of permanence, privacy, and a much-needed fresh start.