Prince William and Kate Middleton’s move from Adelaide Cottage to Forest Lodge later this year has been making waves.
The royal couple is hinting that their “forever home” is going to change the look of the monarchy forever — no Buckingham Palace, it’s all about their cozy, eight-bedroom quarters. Still, their relocation does raise some concerns for people who live in the Windsor area.
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Neighbor Jean Reeve spoke with the Daily Mail and shared that the property is easier for the public to find than their current home.
“I welcome them. But I hope the public allows them to live there quietly as a family,” she said. “It’s a less private spot than their previous home, from what I know about the location. So I’d hate for people to always be going past and saying, ‘Oh, that’s where they live.’”
Catherine, Princess of Wales, waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace with Prince William, Prince of Wales and Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 06, 2023 in London, England. The Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms takes place at Westminster Abbey today. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II.
Reeve commented that the Prince and Princess of Wales “deserve privacy,” and the family’s safety already appears to be a royal concern. On Aug. 18, The Mail on Sunday confirmed that two sets of families were “asked to leave their homes” near Forest Lodge. Their properties were owned and rented out by the Crown Estate, so the request was legal.
The U.K. media outlet described the neighbors as “surprised” by the order, but they did comply and have since relocated.
“They were told to move out. I guess they were given somewhere else, but they were told they had to move,” an insider shared. “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 major move was reportedly “driven by Kate,” per The Times, because she’s “entered a new phase of her life, post-cancer treatment,” and a new, authentic Princess of Wales has emerged.
“…She’s no longer prepared to fake the role of Princess, and this house move is part of a bigger shift towards ‘normality’ away from the stuffy world her husband’s mother inhabited,” a source said.
Kate and William’s new residence is already undergoing renovations, and they will pick up the tab. The couple is ready for a fresh start, but let’s hope their estate will provide them with the safety they require.
Before you go, click here to see more photos of Prince William & Kate Middleton through the years.
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