The Prince and Princess of Wales are determined to keep their young family as grounded as possible, according to palace insiders, and they are about to part with a staggering $33 million to deliver the home life for their kids that William never had.
After the recent announcement that the Wales family would be relocating from their current digs within Adelaide Cottage to the upgraded Forest Lodge on the Windsor Estate, a royal watcher has given a candid insight into the reasons for the heir to the throne’s departure from tradition.
“William is focused on creating a stable and private family life, the kind he never had when he was growing up. And so he wants to keep his family firmly rooted,” royal expert Jennie Bond told the Daily Mirror.
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“He’s already defined the way he wants to do things: he calls it royalty with a small R. And I think a ‘forever’ home at Forest Lodge is in keeping with that philosophy.”
If the family does stay at Forest Lodge while William is King, it will be the first time a reigning monarch has not lived in a palace or a castle.
“I don’t think William is going to bat an eyelid about breaking certain royal traditions,” Ms Bond said.
“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 royal expert noted that Prince William’s mother, Diana, still holds sway over his ideals, and the idea of a home rather than a castle is much more appealing to him as a father.
“I have spent time with the King at his Highgrove home and with Diana in her apartment at Kensington Palace. Both were quite cosy and comfortable. Diana, in particular, had a light touch with the décor: squashy sofas, soft colours and nothing too staid,” Bond said.
“And I think that’s the kind of atmosphere William wants his children to grow up in, which is why he’s made it quite clear that he doesn’t intend to move to Windsor Castle, or indeed to Buckingham Palace, when the time comes for him to become king.
“All of which is probably a great relief for Catherine who, of course, grew up in a ‘normal’ happy family home and would probably hate the idea of living in a huge, draughty, ancient castle, or a palace in the centre of London with nearly 800 rooms.”
The royal expert added that their ‘forever’ home would add a touch of normalcy and comfort to their lives, as they continued to serve the Firm and prepare for William, and some day Prince George, to be king.
“There is enough about being royal that must seem seriously odd,” Bond said. “At least the place you call home should be somewhere you feel comfortable and comforted.”
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