Princess Kate and Prince William will have to use Buckingham Palace as a base in London despite earmarking Forest Lodge as their forever home, according to a royal commentator.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have chosen Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park as their permanent home, with plans to remain there even after Prince William ascends to the throne.
The couple will relocate from their current four-bedroom residence, Adelaide Cottage, to a much larger property later this year, alongside their three children.
However, Hugo Vickers has stated that the couple will have to split their time between Forest Lodge and Buckingham Palace to undertake important engagements when Prince William eventually becomes king.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have chosen Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park as their permanent home, with plans to remain there even after Prince William ascends to the throne.
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Vickers told Page Six: “They will have to have a London base.
“Remember, when [Queen Elizabeth] was at Windsor when [then Prime Minister] Theresa May was stepping down in July 2019, she had to go back and forth to accept May’s resignation and then greet the new PM, Boris Johnson.
“The king has to be somewhere convenient to the centre of government. They can’t expect ministers to come to Windsor.
“I am sure William and Kate will have to use Buckingham Palace as their London base and also for ceremonial duties.”
The royals could face much greater scrutiny over the long-term viability of both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle as they are left increasingly empty.
The royals could face much greater scrutiny over the long-term viability of both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle as they are left increasingly empty.
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A Royal Family insider stressed that Prince William must find the right balance between raising his family away from Buckingham Palace and upholding a public-facing presence.
The source told the Mail: “The late Queen said she had to be seen to be believed.
“I just hope that the Prince of Wales can find the right balance between raising his family away from the public glare at Windsor with the presence required of him as a future, and eventual, head of state.”
Forest Lodge will be a substantial upgrade from Adelaide Cottage, featuring eight bedrooms across three storeys compared to their current four-bedroom accommodation.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will pay a market rent for Forest Lodge, which is never publicly disclosed for commercial reasons.
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The property contains six bathrooms, a long gallery, and underwent £1.5 million worth of renovations in 2001.
Forest Lodge has been part of the Crown Estate since 1829, and it previously housed royal staff members, including equerries and private secretaries.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will pay a market rent for Forest Lodge, which is never publicly disclosed for commercial reasons.
The building work has already begun ahead of the Wales family moving in by the end of 2025.
Sources close to the couple emphasise that their 2022 relocation from Kensington Palace to Adelaide Cottage served as a trial period to assess whether the area suited their family's needs.
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