Prince William & Kate Middleton's 'Forever Home' May Have Come at Surprising Cost to Their Neighbors
21
Prince William and Kate Middleton may have found their “forever home,” but it’s reportedly coming at a cost to their neighbors.
A palace spokesperson spoke to People on Aug. 16 and confirmed that “the Wales family will move house later this year,” but it’s not without controversy. According to The Mail on Sunday, two sets of neighbors “have been asked to leave their homes” near Forest Lodge. The request was made earlier this summer because the properties are owned and rented out by the Crown Estate.
The U.K media outlet shared that the families were “surprised” by the order, but a palace insider is noting that it’s best for Kate and William’s privacy.
“They were told to move out. I guess they were given somewhere else, but they were told they had to move,” the source said. “They were not expecting it. Those houses are very close to the lodge, so they’re not going to want any Tom, Dick or Harry living in those houses if there are going to be royals there.”
The neighbors have already relocated to what The Mail on Sunday described as “similar or better housing elsewhere in the 4,800-acre Great Park.” So, it was an inconvenient ask, but the families were given other accommodations.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are also making sure that the move and the renovations are paid for personally, per The Sun. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made waves when it was revealed that the Frogmore Cottage $3.1 million renovations were paid for by taxpayers. The Sussexes paid the entire amount back after they signed their Netflix deal in 2020.
For Kate and William, the move comes at just the right time.
“Windsor has become their home,” a source told The Sun. “However, over the last few years, while they have lived at Adelaide Cottage, there have been some really difficult times. 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 is a move for the long-term. They see it as their forever home.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to stay at the eight-bedroom mansion even after they take over the throne from King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Before you go, click here to see every single one of Kate Middleton’s coats that took our breath away.