Prince William and Kate Middleton’s planned move to a new Windsor residence has reportedly required two families to vacate nearby cottages. The relocation to an eight-bedroom mansion in Windsor Great Park, seen as a ‘fresh start’ after a challenging period for the royals, is scheduled for later this year.
Those affected are two families residing in cottages adjacent to Forest Lodge, the royal couple’s new £16 million ($21 million) home. They were unexpectedly instructed to relocate despite having established residences in the Windsor estate community.
The displacement occurred in recent weeks according to royal insiders, with one source noting the families ‘were not expecting it’. The formal move by the Prince and Princess of Wales is planned for late 2025, coinciding with ongoing renovations at their new property.
The properties are located within Windsor Great Park in Berkshire, England. The Wales family currently lives at nearby Adelaide Cottage, approximately one mile from Forest Lodge, both part of the Crown Estate surrounding Windsor Castle.
The evictions stem from security and privacy concerns, with a royal source explaining proximity to the lodge necessitates limiting neighbors. Additionally, the move represents a symbolic reset for William and Kate following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022 and their recent cancer diagnoses.
The transition was managed through direct communication from estate officials, who reportedly offered alternative accommodations. Kensington Palace confirmed the move but didn’t address the displacement, stating only that ‘the Wales family will move house later this year’.
Immediate impacts include disrupted lives for the displaced families and enhanced privacy measures at Forest Lodge, where shrubs and screens are being installed. The royals will privately fund renovations and reportedly forego live-in staff.
Future implications include establishing Forest Lodge as the family’s ‘forever home’, though some question its suitability for future monarchs. Renovations continue ahead of the move, while the displaced families settle into new residences.