Copyright vanityfair
The couple's move was confirmed by Kensington Palace last August. It was scheduled to take place “before Christmas,” but some renovation and modernization work, both inside and out, was reportedly completed ahead of schedule, allowing the timeline to shift. The necessary renovations, as well as the installation of privacy measures, are said to have been financed by the future king, William, himself. The family's belongings were gradually moved from one house to another so that the move could be completed before the end of the school holidays, the Telegraph reported. The red-brick mansion offers more space than the Prince and Princess of Wales's previous home. Adelaide Cottage has four bedrooms, while Forest Lodge has twice as many. There's also plenty of green space, including a pond and tennis court. By moving into Forest Lodge, the Waleses are staying in Windsor's Great Park, where they love the peace and tranquillity of the green expanses, while remaining close to Windsor Castle and London—a good hour's drive away—where they regularly travel on official business. As the old and new houses are only a 10 minute drive apart, the family will be able to maintain their usual routines. The children will continue to attend Lambrook School. The Wales family will temporarily have Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who currently reside at nearby Royal Lodge, as neighbors. The pair's past links with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have made headlines since 2011, and Andrew last week was officially stripped of his title of Duke of York and was told by King Charles III that his lease on his residence would be revoked. A palace source told Vanity Fair that “the move will take place as soon as practicable.” Andrew is expected to move to a property on Sandringham Estate. A new beginning for the Wales family The Wales family saw the move as an opportunity to “make a fresh start.” The walls of Adelaide Cottage have witnessed some painful trials of life, including the death of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Kate's battle with cancer. They therefore wanted to leave behind a place that has become, over time, synonymous with “unhappy” memories, a source told the Telegraph. The sources even claimed that Prince William and his wife planned to make Forest Lodge their official home even when they ascended the throne. As the house is owned by the Crown Estate, the family will pay a monthly rent. At the same time, they still have at their disposal London apartment 1A at Kensington Palace, as well as Amner Hall, given to them by Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding present. That 10-bedroom manor house on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk is their preferred retreat during school vacations, especially the summer break. Originally published in Vanity Fair France.
