After a period marked by personal hardship and public scrutiny, Prince William and Kate Middleton are preparing to move their family into a new “forever home” — the historic Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park. The move, set for later this year, will see the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince George (12), Princess Charlotte (10), and Prince Louis (7), leave their current four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage for the more spacious eight-bedroom Georgian residence. This transition is more than just a change of address; it’s a conscious step toward a fresh chapter, following three years that have tested the family’s resilience.
The decision to relocate comes after a series of difficult events. The death of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles’s cancer diagnosis, and Kate Middleton’s own battle with cancer have all weighed heavily on the Wales family. As reported by The Sun and confirmed by a Kensington Palace spokesperson, “The Wales family will move house later this year.” The family hopes that Forest Lodge, nestled in a secluded corner of the 4,800-acre Windsor Great Park, will offer them the privacy and tranquility they crave as they move beyond recent hardships.
Forest Lodge itself is steeped in history. Built 328 years ago and designated as a grade-II listed Georgian mansion, the property boasts elaborate plaster cornices, marble fireplaces, Venetian windows, and a half-barrel vaulted hallway ceiling. While its eight bedrooms are ample for a modern royal family, the lodge is still dwarfed by Prince Andrew’s 31-bedroom Royal Lodge, also located within Windsor Great Park. The value of Forest Lodge is estimated at up to £16 million (approximately $21 million), a testament to its grandeur and historical significance, according to The Independent.
The move is not without its practicalities. Minor renovations began in June 2025, following approval from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead for works such as new doors and windows, internal wall removal, ceiling restoration, and new flooring. The Waleses hope to complete the renovations and settle into their new home by Christmas. Importantly, the royal couple is funding the move and all renovations privately, ensuring no additional cost to taxpayers. As The BBC notes, they will also pay market rent for the property, which forms part of the Crown Estate.
This approach stands in contrast to previous royal property arrangements. In 2023, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle repaid £2.4 million of public money used for renovations on Frogmore Cottage after relocating to the United States. William’s financial independence is further underscored by his inheritance of the Duchy of Cornwall estate, a portfolio valued at over £1 billion, following his father’s ascension to the throne.
For the Wales family, Windsor has become home since their move from Kensington Palace in central London in the summer of 2022. That move was motivated by a desire to enroll their children at the nearby Lambrook School and to provide a more settled environment away from the relentless pace of London. Over the past three years, however, their time at Adelaide Cottage has coincided with a series of personal crises. As a royal source told The Sun, “Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter; an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind.”
This sentiment was echoed in comments to The BBC, where it was emphasized that the move is intended for the long term: “This is a move for the long term. They see it as their forever home.” The family is also making a conscious effort to maintain privacy. According to Marie Claire and The BBC, William and Kate will not have any live-in staff at Forest Lodge, focusing instead on creating as private a family home as possible.
The couple’s choice of Forest Lodge over other possible residences, such as the gothic-revival Fort Belvedere—once home to King Edward VIII—reflects their desire for both space and seclusion. The property’s location, just four miles from Adelaide Cottage, allows the children to continue at Lambrook School and keeps the family close to Windsor Castle and other royal estates.
Kate Middleton’s recent health challenges have played a significant role in the family’s decision. In January 2024, the Princess of Wales underwent major abdominal surgery in London. Initially believed to be non-cancerous, post-operative tests revealed the presence of cancer. Kate announced her diagnosis in March 2024 and completed several months of chemotherapy, finishing treatment in September of that year. “The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family,” Kate said on September 9, 2024, as reported by The NY Post. “Life as you know it can change in an instant, and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.”
Despite being in remission, Kate has spoken candidly about the ongoing challenges of post-treatment recovery. In July 2025, she shared, “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. 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.” These honest reflections highlight the complexity and emotional toll of cancer recovery, not just for Kate but for the entire family.
Forest Lodge is expected to remain the Wales family’s base even after William becomes king, a notable shift from the tradition of monarchs residing at Buckingham Palace. This decision underscores their intent to prioritize family stability and privacy over royal convention. In addition to Forest Lodge, the family retains Anmer Hall—a 10-bedroom Georgian country house on the Sandringham estate, gifted by Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding present—and apartment 1A at Kensington Palace in London, further reflecting their unique position within the royal family’s property landscape.
The Waleses’ move to Forest Lodge marks a significant moment for the modern monarchy: a blend of tradition, personal resilience, and a desire for a grounded family life. As they prepare for this new chapter, the royal couple’s choices reflect both the burdens and the privileges of their roles, and a determination to chart a path that is distinctly their own.
