British media outlets are busy reporting on the decision of Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, to move from their current home in Windsor Castle to their new home, Forest Lodge, located near the palace. The new home is twice the size of their current home.
The princes, along with their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, will reside in an eight-bedroom home with annexes, according to the British newspaper People. The happy family will be settled into their new home in time for Christmas at the end of next December.
The new home, Forest Lodge, is undergoing renovations, commissioned to suit the small family’s tastes. Prince William, who receives approximately $30 million in annual salary, will pay for the renovations himself. Prince William plans to reside in the new home even if he succeeds his father, King Charles III, to the throne.
It’s worth noting that Prince William and Kate have a home in Norfolk, which they consider to be spiritually and psychologically close to home. They consider the place a true haven for themselves and their children, far from the constraints of London life, where they can play freely and spend quality time. The family plans to spend private time away from responsibilities at this home, away from the public eye.
A BBC report indicates that moving to Forest Lodge gives the young family the opportunity to start a new chapter, and leave behind the painful memories that accompanied Princess Kate’s cancer diagnosis. The princes (William and Kate) plan to make the new house their forever home, as the royal couple are supervising the renovation work in the house themselves, preserving the old engravings of the house, and updating the rooms, reception halls, living rooms and bedrooms in line with their nature as a family. The cost of renovating the house is approximately one and a half million dollars.
According to the BBC, the 300-year-old Forest Lodge mansion has eight bedrooms and spacious gardens, and is located in the heart of one of the most historic areas associated with the British royal family. For William and Kate’s supporters, this move reflects a natural desire for stability away from the hustle and bustle of London, especially after the difficult years the royal family has gone through, starting with the death of Queen Elizabeth II and ending with the announcement that Kate herself had been diagnosed with cancer.
Media reports in British newspapers indicate that Prince William may become the first modern British monarch not to permanently reside in a major royal palace or castle, with Buckingham Palace likely to be converted into a venue for major official events only, reflecting a potential shift in the long-standing traditions of the British monarchy.
