William & Catherine’s “Forever Home”
The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children, are reportedly leaving Adelaide Cottage behind for the grander Forest Lodge, a sprawling estate within Windsor Great Park valued at around $21 million (£16 million).
Unlike past royal renovations, William and Catherine are reportedly paying for the move and upgrades themselves — covering the multi-million-dollar renovations and relocation costs without taxpayer funding.
Why Meghan Allegedly Feels Snubbed
According to royal insiders, Meghan and Harry once toured Forest Lodge and expressed interest in living there, but the idea never materialized. At the time, the property was already occupied, and Queen Elizabeth II is said to have decided against granting it to the Sussexes.
Instead, the couple settled into Frogmore Cottage — famously renovated with £2.4 million in taxpayer funds, a decision that sparked public backlash in the UK.
Now, with William and Catherine moving into the very property the Sussexes reportedly once had their eyes on, Meghan is said to be frustrated. Commentators even suggest she views the move as another reminder of her lost place within the royal hierarchy.
A Clash of Lifestyles
Royal watchers have noted that Forest Lodge, valued higher than the Sussexes’ Montecito mansion, adds fuel to the rivalry narrative. Meghan is reportedly irritated by comparisons between her California lifestyle and Catherine’s growing public approval in Britain.
“It’s not about the house,” one royal observer quipped. “It’s about hierarchy. Meghan doesn’t want Catherine to have something she doesn’t.”
Media Frenzy and Public Reaction
The move has set off a storm online. Supporters of the Sussexes accuse the Waleses of pushing out previous tenants, despite reports that the tenants had already purchased another home. Meanwhile, William and Catherine’s decision to fund the renovations privately has been praised by critics weary of royal spending.
The Bigger Picture
For William and Catherine, Forest Lodge represents more than just a house — it’s their “forever home,” a place to raise George, Charlotte, and Louis away from constant scrutiny. For Meghan and Harry, however, it appears to be another painful reminder of their strained relationship with the monarchy and their struggle to define themselves outside of it.
As one commentator put it:
“Catherine got the home Meghan wanted, the role she wanted, and the public affection she wanted. That’s what really stings.”