The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children are set to move from Adelaide Cottage into a new home, but one royal expert claims that a “difficult conversation” could arise in the future
08:00, 26 Aug 2025Updated 08:15, 26 Aug 2025
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children are set to move into Forest Lodge
Prince William could face a “difficult conversation” about his family’s new £16m home when he ascends the throne, a royal expert has claimed. In recent weeks, reports have emerged that the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, are set to move from Adelaide Cottage into Forest Lodge, a £16 million mansion in Windsor Great Park.
A source previously told the Sun that the Waleses see the property as their “forever home,” but for Robert Hardman, a royal expert and biographer, this scenario might not be “tenable.”
Traditionally, the sovereign resides at Buckingham Palace, but with plans for a so-called slimmed-down monarchy reportedly on the horizon, there could be a break from royal convention in the future. It comes as King Charles and Queen Camilla advertise a role for someone with eye for “complex” issues
Indeed, the late Queen Elizabeth was the last monarch to live at the palace, which is currently undergoing a £369 million revamp. Meanwhile, Charles and Camilla dwell in the nearby Clarence House.
Buckingham Palace has been the monarch’s official London residence since 1837
(Image: Jonathan Brady – Pool/Getty Images))
Buckingham Palace has been the monarch’s official London residence since 1837. Robert also noted the property’s importance and maintained that there needs to be a “visceral connection” between the monarch and “Royal HQ.”
Robert told GB News: “When the late Queen came to the throne in 1952, she and Prince Philip had just done up Clarence House as a sort of family home with their two young children. They loved it, and they didn’t want to move. The Queen Mother, who was resident at Buckingham Palace, didn’t want to move out.”
He said the couple took their plans to then-Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who informed them they had to move into Buckingham Palace and that it was something the monarch simply had to do.
So, in terms of William, who is first in line to the throne after King Charles, using Forest Lodge as his “forever home,” Robert thinks it would lead to a “difficult conversation” with whoever is in the position of PM when he takes the throne.
Prince William could face a “difficult conversation” about his family’s new £16m home
(Image: Getty Images)
He added: “That will be a difficult conversation for whichever prime minister it is. Of course, Prince William will be a harder nut to crack for a future prime minister, but I think Buckingham Palace depends on having a visceral connection between the monarch and Royal HQ.”
Constructed between 1772 and 1782, the Grade II-listed Georgian mansion Forest Lodge originally had the name “Holly Grove” and boasts features such as Venetian windows and Flemish-bond brickwork.
The Waleses will be able to take full advantage of a ballroom, tennis court, pond, lake, and paddocks. William and Kate’s new neighbours appear to be thrilled about the prospect of them living in the area.
Some of the comments about them included “wonderful” and “good for the country”. Jean Reeve, 87, said she was “happy for them”, but had one hope for the family as they embark on this new chapter – that they be allowed to live “quietly as a family”.
She said: “It’s a less private spot than their previous home – from what I know about the location. So I’d hate for people to always be going past and saying, ‘Oh, that’s where they live.'”