Prince William is "unlikely" to ever live in Buckingham Palace, inside sources have claimed.
The Prince and Princess of Wales's decision to make Forest Lodge their long-term family home has raised questions about the future of Buckingham Palace once William becomes King.
The 775-room Palace, the monarch’s official London residence since 1837, is in the middle of a 10-year £369million renovation.
However, according to claims in the Mail, it appears unlikely that William will ever live there, sparking speculation that it could instead be opened permanently to the public and reserved only for major state occasions.
Prince William ‘unlikely’ to live at Buckingham Palace as King after latest move
|GETTY
If so, William will become the first monarch not to reside in a Palace or castle when he succeeds Charles.
Later this year, GB News can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children, will move into Forest Lodge, a 300-year-old Grade II-listed house in Windsor Great Park, described as their “forever home.”
With its chandelier-lit ballroom, tennis court, Venetian windows and extensive grounds, Forest Lodge is a marked upgrade from Adelaide Cottage.
The cottage is a cosy four-bedroom house where the family has lived for the past three years.
Forest Lodge when it was photographed in 2018 | GETTYTheir time at Adelaide Cottage coincided with a difficult period for the Royal Family.
Queen Elizabeth II died just weeks after their move in 2022, while in 2024, both King Charles and Kate announced they had been diagnosed with cancer.
Royal insiders say the couple are hoping for a “fresh start” at Forest Lodge and a chance to leave behind some of those unhappy associations.
Last week, the property was a hive of activity, with new shrubs being planted and builders’ vans parked outside. A metal fence with black mesh privacy screens was also erected.
Forest Lodge covered in scaffolding | PALATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Buckingham Palace is recognised worldwide as the home of the British monarch and the centrepiece of the UK's constitution
| PAForest Lodge, last renovated in 2001, is just a few miles from Lambrook School, which Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis attend.
It is understood William and Kate are funding the move and renting themselves “at no extra cost to taxpayers.”
Aides stressed this weekend that Kensington Palace will remain their “official London residence” and continue to serve as their office base.
The Waleses will also retain Anmer Hall, the 10-bedroom Norfolk home given to them by Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding present.