Prince William is preparing to break away from Royal Family traditions as he seeks a permanent base for his young children.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have chosen Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park as their permanent home, with plans to move into the property later this year.
The royal couple will relocate from their current four-bedroom residence, Adelaide Cottage, to the much larger Forest Lodge, alongside their three children.
The family have spent three years at Adelaide Cottage after moving into the house in 2022.
Prince William is preparing to break away from Royal Family traditions as he seeks a permanent base for his young children.
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Bond said: “I don’t think William is going to bat an eyelid about breaking certain royal traditions.
“He doesn’t want to live in a palace or a castle and he has made up his mind to do things differently.
“Living in a house – albeit a pretty big house as Forest Lodge is – will give his family a much more normal life, and that, I’m sure, is going to stand them in good stead.”
The family has experienced difficult moments during the last three years, including the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 and Princess Kate’s cancer diagnosis and treatment throughout 2024.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have chosen Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park as their permanent home, with plans to move into the property later this year.
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A source told the Mail regarding the move: “It's a fresh start for them after three really tough years.
“They are looking forward to creating many happy memories in their new home and leaving some of the unhappier ones behind.”
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.
An insider said the move was "designed to test a new location and see if it worked for them as a family" and that Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are “thriving” in Windsor.
All three of the children attend Lambrook School which allows Princess Kate and Prince William to “do the school run” most mornings.
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All three of the children attend Lambrook School which allows Princess Kate and Prince William to “do the school run” most mornings.
This is something that Prince William wants to continue to do even when he becomes king hence his preference to remain at Forest Lodge even after becoming monarch.
Forest Lodge will be a substantial upgrade from Adelaide Cottage, featuring eight bedrooms across three storeys compared to their current four-bedroom accommodation.
The property contains six bathrooms, a long gallery, and underwent £1.5 million worth of renovations in 2001.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will pay a market rent for Forest Lodge, which is never publicly disclosed for commercial reasons.