Forest Lodge has a vast Royal Family history

Princess Kate and Prince William’s new home, Forest Lodge, is worth 59.4 times more than the average UK property, according to new claims.

The Prince and Princess of Wales moved their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, to Forest Lodge during the October half-term.

They had originally moved into Adelaide Cottage, a smaller property with just four bedrooms, in the summer of 2022.

But Kensington Palace confirmed earlier this year that the Waleses were moving into a new property whilst staying in Windsor, where all three children attend Lambrook School nearby.

Forest Lodge has been dubbed Kate and William’s “forever home”, with reports suggesting the Prince of Wales intends to remain there even when he becomes King.

Buckingham Palace, the official home of the British monarch, is expected to remain the headquarters of the monarchy but not a residence for the family.

Property experts have valued Forest Lodge, which contains eight bedrooms, at a whopping £16million, according to reports in Hello!. The private home also has a private tennis court and a lake at its doorstep.

In contrast, the Gov.uk website states the average UK property is worth £269,000.

Prince William and Princess Kate’s ‘forever home’ Forest Lodge worth a whopping £16million | GETTY

Forest Lodge has a vast history; until 1937, it housed the Deputy Ranger of the Windsor Home Park estate, a role currently held by Paul Sedgwick. The official Ranger of Windsor Great Park is King Charles III.

The confirmation that the Prince and Princess of Wales would be moving into Forest Lodge came with the news that two families living in cottages nearby would have to leave.

The cottages originally acted as stables for Forest Lodge, but later housed two separate families. Despite being asked to leave for security reasons, these two families were offered accommodation elsewhere on the Windsor estate.

George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, seven, are remaining in Lambrook School as Forest Lodge is only a nine-minute drive away from their previous home, Adelaide Cottage.

A view of a ‘Road Closed’ sign at Cranborne Gate in Windsor Great Park| PA

GB News’ Royal Correspondent Cameron Walker discussed the news that William and Kate want Forest Lodge to be their “forever home”.

He said: “It’s inside the Windsor Great Park area, but it’s not in the Windsor Castle, so-called Ring of Steel. So it’s not automatically protected by Metropolitan Police, which means that extra taxpayer money potentially needs to be spent on making the property secure.

“Apparently the Prince and Princess want it to be their forever home. Some see that as controversial.” Anne Diamond quipped: “Well, they can’t have a forever home, can’t they?”

Agreeing, Cameron continued: “Because one day William will be King. And the idea is, according to sources close to them, that Prince William will want to continue living in that property as King.

“But then what happens to Buckingham Palace? What happens to Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle, and all the other properties he will have at his disposal as monarch?”

Anne added: “Well, he’s very much rumoured to be the sort of person who wants to pare down the size of the monarchy. And maybe that’s what it’s all about. He wants to live a more private life, even as possibly even as King.”

Cameron explained: “Well, the late Queen always said you have to be seen to be believed. To be fair to William, King Philippe of Spain does something very similar, where he lives in a modest-sized mansion on the outskirts of Madrid.

“But the argument is that the British monarchy, perhaps, is far more is far bigger, perhaps, than these smaller minor European monarchies.

“Maybe Prince William would decide to commute. It’s 12 minutes, I think, via helicopter from Forest Lodge to Buckingham Palace, which isn’t bad.”

The royal correspondent concluded: “For now, I think perhaps cut the prince and princess some slack. It’s been quite a horrible year, 2024, with the princess’s cancer diagnosis and all the rest of it.

“They want a fresh start away from Adelaide Cottage in their new property. It’s closer to the children’s school, so good luck to them.”

In September, Cranbourne Gate and Cranbourne car park became permanently closed due to an exclusion zone that was put in place surrounding Forest Lodge for security purposes.

In addition, CCTV cameras, landscaping to block trespassers and large fencing were installed to coincide with the Waleses moving into the Windsor property.

Previously, residents living within half a mile of Forest Lodge could apply to hold keys to Cranbourne Gate for £110 a year.