Hidden reason Prince William and Kate refused to film at Forest Lodge home

The Prince and Princess of Wales released a special new video on Sunday and it had a hidden message not addressed in their words

he Prince and Princess of Wales amazed royal fans on Sunday when they released a joint message in Welsh to mark St David’s Day. As well as their important well wishes, there was another hidden message that the clip sent to members of the public. The royals decided to shoot the video at Frogmore House on the Windsor Home Park estate, and this speaks volumes. Keep reading to find out why…

William and Kate, along with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, relocated from Adelaide Cottage to Forest Lodge in November 2025, and the family have been keen to keep their new abode under wraps. Choosing to record a video for public consumption in a separate property distinctly draws the line between work and home life for the couple.

This is a particularly important decision for William who is trying to navigate life as the future King with the ongoing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor drama unfolding around him. It’s a very pivotal time for the royal family who are increasingly under the spotlight.

The couple reportedly do the school runs when they are not working, to ensure their three kids have as much of a ‘normal’ life as possible, growing up within the public eye. When we’ve seen rare photos inside their home life, usually at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, the family are seen smiling together enjoying the great outdoors.

This boundary-setting is a common tactic among modern royals. While Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, often share clips from inside their private estate in Montecito, we have seen them return to the same spot on their outside veranda. This neutral backdrop is a good way to keep consistency and prevent further intrusion into the sanctuary of their family residence.

Prince Harry in a pale blue shirt standing outside his Montecito home© WellChild
Harry and Meghan often appear from this same spot

 What do we know about Prince William’s new home?

The eight-bedroom residence is situated within the iconic Windsor Great Park. The Grade II-listed Georgian home was gutted in 2001 and underwent a full renovation. Then, ahead of the family moving in, the interior was tackled once again. It is believed that work is still ongoing as Princess Kate let slip about mood boards during a meeting with German first lady Elke Büdenbender. The nature of their listed property could mean that renovations are much slower than in an ordinary home.

Forest Lodge, formerly known as Holly Grove in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire, 2018. © Getty Images
Forest Lodge, formerly known as Holly Grove in Windsor Great Park, pictured in 2018.

 Security measures at Forest Lodge

 Ahead of the Wales family moving into the property, the public access to the park grounds at Cranbourne Gate was closed off for security reasons. Additionally, the no-fly zone above their home was expanded to prohibit drones and such flying overhead. The Georgian house was also sectioned off with a wooden fence guarded by CCTV before the family moved in.