After years marked by both joyful milestones and personal challenges, Prince William and Kate Middleton are preparing for a significant change: a move to Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom residence nestled in the heart of Windsor Great Park. The couple, both 43, will relocate later this year with their three children—Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7—leaving behind their current home, Adelaide Cottage, where they’ve lived since 2022. The move, confirmed by royal spokespeople and widely reported by outlets such as BBC, The Sun, and People, is being described as a fresh start for the family after a string of difficult years.
“Windsor has become their home. However, over the last few years while they have lived at Adelaide Cottage there have been some really difficult times,” a royal source told The Sun, echoing similar comments reported by the BBC. The couple’s decision to relocate is rooted in both practical and emotional reasons. Forest Lodge, located just a few miles from their current residence, offers more space for the growing family and the promise of a new chapter. As another insider explained to Page Six, “Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter; an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind.”
Those memories include one of the most challenging periods the family has faced: Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment. In March 2024, Kate revealed in a public statement that she had undergone major abdominal surgery in January of that year. “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful,” she announced. “However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.” The months that followed, she admitted, were “incredibly tough for us as a family.”
By January 2025, Kate was able to share more hopeful news: “It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery,” she wrote in a message on X (formerly Twitter), as cited by People. “As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal.” Yet, even after completing treatment, the princess has spoken candidly about the ongoing challenges of recovery. In July, she reflected, “You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult.” She added, “You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to.”
This openness about her health struggles has resonated with many, and the move to Forest Lodge is, in part, an attempt to foster a sense of renewal and healing. Kate has often spoken about her love of nature, calling it her “sanctuary.” According to the BBC, Forest Lodge sits within the 4,800-acre Windsor Great Park, surrounded by expansive gardens and woodlands—an environment that aligns with Kate’s belief in the restorative power of the natural world. The family hopes to move into the new property by Christmas, looking forward to creating “many happy memories” in their new home.
Forest Lodge itself is a substantial upgrade in size and stature. Valued at approximately $21 million, the eight-bedroom property underwent significant restoration in 2001 and was recently granted planning permission for minor internal and external renovations, including the removal of a window and work on a fireplace, as noted in local council records cited by the BBC. Images from the time of its last restoration reveal original stonework, elaborate plaster cornices, and a grand, half-barrel vaulted hallway ceiling.
Despite the grandeur, William and Kate are determined to keep their family life as private and grounded as possible. As with Adelaide Cottage, the new home will not have any live-in staff. The couple is funding the move, renovations, and rent privately—without any reliance on taxpayer money or the Sovereign Grant, which typically provides state funding for the monarchy. “British taxpayers will not fund any of the changes,” a source told The Sun. Instead, the couple’s private income, including profits from the Duchy of Cornwall, will cover the costs. The duchy, valued at £1 billion, generated a profit of £22.9 million this year, according to its annual financial report.
The move also keeps the family rooted in the Berkshire area, ensuring continuity for their children, who are reportedly happy and settled at Lambrook School. “The move to Windsor has been a successful one and afforded them the privacy and freedom that was more difficult to find in London,” the BBC observed. The family also maintains homes at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, where they spend school holidays, while their offices remain at Kensington Palace in London.
Beyond the headlines about the move, the past year has seen the royal family face a number of challenges. In addition to Kate’s cancer battle, King Charles III has also been contending with his own health issues. Despite this, the family has continued to participate in public life when possible. Kate, for instance, attended Wimbledon with Prince William and their children in June 2025, sharing a cheerful post on Instagram: “A pleasure to be back in SW19 for the finals of this year’s @wimbledon Championships this weekend. Congratulations again to @iga.swiatek and @janniksin on your wins! And a huge thank you to everybody involved in making the tournament so special.”
However, the couple has also made adjustments to their public engagements, with Kate pulling out of the Royal Ascot at the last minute as she navigates her ongoing recovery. “She is still figuring out the right balance for herself when it comes to completing public engagements following her cancer battle,” a spokesperson told NBC News.
The move to Forest Lodge is more than just a change of address; it’s a statement about the couple’s priorities and hopes for the future. As one royal insider put it to The Sun, “The Wales family reportedly see Forest Lodge as their ‘forever home.’” It’s where William and Kate plan to raise their children and, eventually, where they intend to live when William becomes King and Kate becomes Queen.
For the Prince and Princess of Wales, Forest Lodge represents a new beginning—one shaped by resilience, privacy, and the enduring bonds of family. As they look ahead to this next chapter, the hope is that the walls of their new home will witness far more happy memories than difficult ones, and that the peace of Windsor Great Park will offer a welcome respite from the storms of recent years.
