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The Prince and Princess of Wales’ new neighbours have invited them round for tea as they prepare to move into their new ‘forever home’ in Windsor.
Prince William, Kate, and their children George, Charlotte, and Louis are preparing to relocate to Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park following a challenging time at Adelaide Cottage, marked by the Queen’s passing and the Princess’s cancer diagnosis.
Forest Lodge underwent a £1.5million renovation in 2001 and was then put on the rental market for £15,000 a month.
With its opulent features like a chandelier-lit ballroom, a tennis court, and extensive grounds, Forest Lodge offers a significant upgrade from the quaint four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage where the family has resided for the past three years.
Though only four miles from their current location, their new home will place them closer to the residents of Cranbourne Hall Residential Park.
Residents of the estate expressed excitement about living near the royal family, whom they regard as ‘wonderful’ and beneficial for the nation.
They said they were excited to welcome William and Kate to the area – and even had some tips for the best places to visit.
Jean Reeve, 87, expressed her approval of the family’s move: ‘I welcome them. But I hope the public allows them to enjoy a quiet family life here.
An insider has revealed that Prince William and Princess Kate are planning to move their family from Adelaide Cottage to their ‘forever home’ by the year’s end.
The couple, along with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, reportedly plan to relocate to the eight-bedroom Forest Lodge property in Windsor Great Park (pictured)
Although it’s only four miles away from their current house, once they make the move, their nearest neighbours will be those living in Cranbourne Hall Residential Park
‘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.”
‘They have young children after all. They deserve privacy.’
Mrs Reeve, who has lived in the area for 40 years, said William and Kate were probably her favourite members of the royal family.
She said: ‘I think they are going to be good for the country. I was a teenager when the Queen was crowned and she did a lot for this country.
‘But now young blood is a good idea. And William and Kate are lovely. They’re young. They’re family-orientated. They’re always with their children.
‘It’s a new style of monarchy. They’d like to be treated as normal people.’
Mrs Reeve wondered whether she would spot the family at any of her regular spots – such as the newsagent at the end of the estate.
She said: ‘I wonder if they’ll use the shop? It will be their nearest now.’
Jean Reeve, 87, said she would be happy to have the family in the area and hoped they would be given privacy by the public
Steven Scorgie, 57, was also keen to welcome the royals to the neighbourhood
Cranbourne Hall is made up of mobile residential homes and residents will be the royals’ closest neighbours
Steven Scorgie, 57, was also keen to welcome the royals to the neighbourhood.
He said: ‘I’m happy to hear they’re moving this way. It’ll be nice to have some nice neighbours.
‘I hope they say the same about me! I’ll invite them in for a cuppa if they want.’
Mr Scorgie said he had always been a fan of the royals and his father served the British Army as a Scots Guard.
He said: ‘They bring a lot of trade into this country. And my father served the Queen. So I was brought up that way.’
Discussing tips for the area, Mr Scorgie suggested William and Kate visit his favourite drinking spot.
‘They should go to the Fifield Inn,’ he said. ‘That’s my favourite pub.’
Meanwhile, Rose and Norman Noyce, both 85, also gushed over the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Mrs Noyce said: ‘I’m really happy about it. They’re my favourite royals. I think they’re wonderful people and will make a great King and Queen.
‘I just hope they don’t mind living near us.’
Her husband was also pleased by the move – but admitted he was used to being near royals as he once installed TV aerials on parts of the Crown Estate, including the Royal Household Bowling Club.
He said: ‘I met the Queen, Princess Margaret, and Fergie. The Queen even used to come down and watch the games at the club.’
Cynthia Sullivan, 72, who has lived in Cranbourne for 16 years, said: ‘I think they’re a lovely family. I wish them the best’
The Prince and Princess of Wales’ new neighbours say they can’t wait to welcome the family to their neighbourhood – with some even inviting them around for a cup of tea
Rose and Norman Noyce, both 85, said the Wales family are their ‘favourite royals’
The couple said they wondered whether William and Kate would try shopping in Bracknell.
Rose said: ‘They often seem to be out and about so I wouldn’t be too surprised. We often go to Bracknell.
‘But I’m sure they’ll be shopping in some places we can’t afford.’
Cynthia Sullivan, 72, who has lived in Cranbourne for 16 years, said: ‘I think they’re a lovely family. I wish them the best.
‘It’s only a short move for them so I’m sure they know the area well. But they will be nearer two pubs – The Duke of Edinburgh and The Rose – so they’ll be good to visit.
‘I think Harry and Meghan used to go there.’
Ms Sullivan, who works as a teacher at a nearby primary school, said she thought most of her neighbours would be happy to be near William and Kate.
She said: ‘I’ve never heard anyone around here say anything anti-royalist. I think most people tend to like them around here.
‘The children do too. When the Queen died we set up a memorial – and all the children wrote their own notes. It was sweet.’
Nicola Berry, 50, was shocked by how close Forest Lodge was to Cranbourne Residential Park.
She said: ‘I heard they were moving but I didn’t realise they’d be so close. Welcome, I suppose!
Many residents were shocked to hear how close the residential park is to the royals ‘forever home’
Some residents wondered whether they would see William and Kate at their local shop (pictured)
Photos of the 2001 renovation of Forest Lodge revealed a grand half-barrel vaulted hallway ceiling was also shown as well as ornate ceiling decorations
Ripped up floorboards and exposed brickwork can be seen in the front reception room of the Grade-II building once admired by both King George IV and King Edward VIII
Scaffolding was set up around the house during the restoration work in 2001 but more work is set to be done ahead of the royal family moving in
‘It’s funny because usually when people move to the area I recommend walks in Windsor Great Park – but that’s their back garden!
‘So I suppose I’d say avoid Legoland and give The Rose a go.’
She continued: ‘I suppose they’ll probably use the Windsor Farm Shop – as they’ve been seen there before. But it would be hilarious if they came to the shop here. Maybe for a late run once the farm shop is closed!’
The family is said to be hoping for a ‘fresh start’ in the eight-bedroom lodge, with renovations underway to allow them to move into the property by the end of the year.
The Sun reports that planning applications show minor work has already begun at the Grade-II listed lodge, with renovations reportedly set to be funded by the couple themselves.
A source close to the family told the paper: ‘Windsor has become their home. However, over the last few years while they have lived at Adelaide Cottage there have been some really difficult times.
‘Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter; an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind.’
The home offers spectacular views, and football fan William will be able to see the Wembley Arch from his bedroom window.
And Kate has already been spotted picking new furniture to kit out the new abode, including a 24-seater table.
Forest Lodge was last week a hive of activity, with new shrubs being planted in its grounds and builders in white vans visiting.
A metal fence with black mesh privacy screens has been erected around the front of the house.
The family first moved to Windsor in 2022, where they settled at the humble Adelaide Cottage a short walk away.
The grade-II listed property is within easy distance of Lambrook School, where Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are all pupils.
The family has no live-in staff at their current home and this is also reportedly set to be the case once they move into this bigger abode.
The Mail previously revealed that two families who lived in cottages next to the country mansion have been asked to leave their homes in order for the family-of-five to move in.
The cottages, converted from Forest Lodge’s stables, are understood to have been rented out by the Crown Estate, and the tenants, are said to have been ‘surprised’ at being asked to leave.
It is understood that no eviction notices were served and the tenants have moved to similar or better housing elsewhere in the 4,800-acre Great Park.
