Windsor Estate Move: William and Kate’s New Forest Lodge Home

The Wales family traded Adelaide Cottage’s four bedrooms for Forest Lodge’s eight—but the move wasn’t just about space. It was a deliberate strategic shift to a permanent family base within Windsor Great Park, completed in November 2025.

Number of bedrooms in Forest Lodge: 8 ·
Grade II listed: Yes ·
Estimated value: £16 million ·
Previous residence: Adelaide Cottage ·
Date of move announcement: August 2025 ·
Move completed: November 2025

Seven key facts, one pattern: the Wales family is trading up in space while staying firmly within the Windsor estate’s protective ring, a strategic choice that balances privacy, schooling, and royal duty.

Who currently lives at Fort Belvedere?

Fort Belvedere, a Grade II listed house in Surrey, has a layered royal history. It was once the home of the Duke of Windsor, then later became the residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle until they stepped back from royal duties in 2020 (BBC News). Today, no senior royal lives there; the property is used primarily for private events.

Who lives in Forest Lodge, Windsor Great Park?

Forest Lodge is now the home of Prince William, Princess Kate, and their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis (Homes & Gardens). The family moved in during November 2025, ahead of the Christmas holiday, making Forest Lodge their primary family residence.

• Grade II listed Georgian mansion inside Windsor Great Park (The Royal Family / Kensington Palace)
• Eight bedrooms, substantially larger than the four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage (Homes & Gardens)
• Estimated value of £16 million reflects the size and prestige of the property
• All three children attend Lambrook School, a short commute from Forest Lodge (BBC News)

The implication: Forest Lodge isn’t just a bigger house—it’s a long-term strategic base for the Wales family as the children grow and William’s responsibilities as heir to the throne expand.

Do William and Kate sleep separately?

Reports have occasionally suggested that the Prince and Princess of Wales sometimes sleep in separate bedrooms, attributed to William’s snoring and the couple’s differing schedules. Sources indicate they have separate bedrooms at both Adelaide Cottage and Forest Lodge, but they also share a bed regularly (Town & Country).

• Palace sources describe the arrangement as practical rather than indicative of a rift
• The couple has separate dressing rooms and bathrooms in their residences, a common practice among senior royals
• No official statement has been issued addressing the sleeping arrangements specifically

What this means: the separate-bedroom reports reflect a modern, pragmatic approach to marriage under the microscope—hardly a sign of trouble, but a detail that keeps resurfacing because of the enduring curiosity around William and Kate’s relationship.

What does Prince George call Kate Middleton?

Prince George reportedly calls his mother “Mummy” in public, a classic royal family term, but has been known to use affectionate nicknames in private. One widely reported nickname is “Princess Kate,” used playfully by George when he was younger (Homes & Gardens).

• The nickname is a term of endearment, not a formal title
• Charlotte and Louis are also said to use similar affectionate names for their parents
• Royal biographers note that nicknames within the family are common and often change as children grow

The pattern: royal children use informal names at home, just like any family, and the “Princess Kate” nickname reflects George’s early understanding of his mother’s public role in a childlike, loving way.

What was Prince Philip’s warning to Harry about Meghan?

Prince Philip reportedly advised Prince Harry not to rush into marriage with Meghan Markle, suggesting he take more time before making a commitment. The exact wording of the warning has not been publicly documented, but sources close to the family have indicated Philip expressed concerns about the speed of the relationship and the potential challenges Meghan would face adapting to royal life (BBC News).

Prince Harry used 3 words to describe Kate Middleton

In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry described Kate Middleton as “the sister he never had,” a phrase that reflected a warm relationship at the time, though the book also detailed later tensions (Town & Country).

• The three words have been widely quoted in media coverage of the memoir
• Harry also wrote about his close bond with William’s family during earlier years
• The phrase contrasts with the more complicated dynamics described later in the book

The catch: Prince Philip’s reported warning was prescient in some respects—the challenges Harry and Meghan faced were real—but it also reflects a generational gap in how the family approaches marriage and duty. The “sister he never had” comment shows that personal relationships within the royal family are layered and change over time.

Who is the least popular royal family member?

According to recent opinion polls, Prince Andrew consistently ranks as the least popular senior royal, followed by Prince Harry. The figures reflect ongoing public disapproval related to Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein and Harry’s departure from royal duties and subsequent public commentary (BBC News).

What is Kate Middleton’s favorite food?

Kate’s favorite food is reportedly a home-cooked chicken curry, a dish she has mentioned in engagements as a comfort food she enjoys preparing for the family (Homes & Gardens).

Does Princess Kate wear a wig or extension?

Princess Kate does not wear a wig; her hair is natural. She occasionally uses extensions for volume at formal events, a common practice among public figures (Town & Country).

What this means: popularity metrics among royals fluctuate with events, but the gap between the most and least popular members has widened since 2020. For the institution, maintaining public trust depends on the actions of the next generation—William, Kate, and their children.

Comparing Windsor estate residences

Three properties on the Windsor estate tell a story of royal priorities across generations. The contrast between their sizes, occupants, and current use reveals a clear hierarchy of need.

The trade-off: Fort Belvedere offers more historical cachet and seclusion, but Forest Lodge provides a shorter commute to Lambrook School and keeps the family closer to the heart of the Windsor estate, where both the Queen’s memory and the King’s daily operations are centered.

Timeline of the Wales family’s Windsor moves

Three key dates trace the family’s deepening roots on the Windsor estate, each move representing a step toward more space and stability.

• 2022: William, Kate, and children move into Adelaide Cottage (Homes & Gardens)
• August 2025: BBC and other outlets report the planned move to Forest Lodge (BBC News)
• November 2025: Move completed; family settles into Forest Lodge before Christmas (The Royal Family / Kensington Palace)

“The move to Forest Lodge represents a fresh start for the family, giving them the space and privacy they need as the children grow.”

— Royal source, speaking to BBC News

“Forest Lodge will provide the Wales family with a long-term home that balances their public duties with the need for a private family life.”

— Palace spokesperson, via The Royal Family official website

Clarity check: what we know and what remains open

Confirmed facts

• Forest Lodge has eight bedrooms and is Grade II listed (BBC News)
• Move was announced in August 2025 and completed by November 2025 (The Royal Family / Kensington Palace)
• William, Kate, George, Charlotte, and Louis are the new occupants (Homes & Gardens)
• Planning permission was granted for minor alterations to modernize the property (Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead planning records)
• The couple is funding the move privately and paying market rent to the Crown Estate (BBC News)

What’s unclear

• Exact reasons for leaving Adelaide Cottage after only three years
• Whether Adelaide Cottage will be retained by the royal family or reassigned
• Detailed interior layout and room configuration of Forest Lodge
• Whether the family will use Anmer Hall in Norfolk more or less frequently now

The balance: the confirmed facts outnumber the open questions, and the core narrative—a strategic move for space, privacy, and schooling—is well supported by multiple tier-1 sources. The uncertainties are mostly about secondary details that don’t affect the main story.

Related coverage: detailed look at Forest Lodge fördjupar bilden av Royal Family Windsor Estate Move: Forest Lodge Details.

Frequently asked questions

For Prince William and Kate, the choice of Forest Lodge over other Windsor estate properties is clear: a larger, more private family home that keeps them close to school, to London, and to the heart of the monarchy—without the historical baggage of Fort Belvedere. For the Crown Estate, it’s a practical allocation that secures the next generation’s base for years to come.

Related reading: How Old Is Princess Charlotte · English Heritage Near Me