By Molly Claire Goddard
2:45pm PDT, Sep 2, 2025
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Prince William and
Kate Middleton are gearing up for a big move. As the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children, prepare to leave Adelaide Cottage for Forest Lodge, one royal expert explained why the family is really making the massive change…
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According to royal expert
Jennie Bond,
Prince William and Kate Middleton want a more realistic residence for
Prince George,
Princess Charlotte and
Prince Louis to call home as their father prepares to eventually become the King of England. "William is focused on creating a stable and private family life. The kind he never had when he was growing up. He wants to keep his family firmly rooted," she
explained. "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."
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Even before
Prince William takes over for
King Charles III, he's making it clear he will be approaching his role differently. "I don't think William is going to bat an eyelid about breaking certain royal traditions," Jennie 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."
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Prince William's late mother,
Princess Diana, and his father, King Charles III, heavily influenced his decision to live in a house instead of a palace. "I have spent time with the king at his Highgrove home and with Diana in her apartment at Kensington Palace. Both were quite cozy and comfortable," Jennie Bond said. "Diana, in particular, had a light touch with the décor: squashy sofas, soft colors and nothing too staid. 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."
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Jennie Bond feels the change will be most welcome for Kate Middleton, who had a relatively modest upbringing compared to
Prince William. "[It's] 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 center of London with nearly 800 rooms," Bond said.
