The red-bricked Georgian mansion, once described as a “very substantial house in one of the loveliest settings in the country”, is a notable step up from their former home, the more modest, four-bedroomed Adelaide Cottage.
It boasts eight bedrooms and six bathrooms, a long gallery, a separate staff flat, a tennis court and a large pond. The house is protected by a ha-ha, a sunken fence commonly installed in landscaped gardens in the 18th century to give the illusion of an unbroken view while providing boundaries for grazing livestock.
An aerial view of Prince Andrew’s home, Royal Lodge.
The move was announced in August and the prince and princess initially planned to relocate by Christmas.
But building work was completed earlier than expected and the family’s belongings were gradually transferred to the newly renovated property, which is protected by a large security cordon.
The move heralds a fresh start for the whole family, having endured a “brutal” three years since moving to Adelaide Cottage, with the death of Queen Elizabeth II followed by the cancer diagnoses of both Catherine and the King.
Last November, William admitted with remarkable candour that 2024 had been “brutal” and “probably the hardest year in my life”.
Prince William and Princess Catherine pick apples during a visit to Long Meadow Cider in Northern Ireland this month.Credit: Getty Images
Shortly after relocating from Kensington Palace, the prince was also forced to deal with a slew of deeply private revelations from his brother, the Duke of Sussex, in Spare, his memoir, and Harry & Meghan, the six-part Netflix series.
After everything they had been through, the prince and princess decided they simply needed to “get out” of Adelaide Cottage and start again, The Telegraph was told.
“Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter; an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind,” a source said.
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“This is a move for the long-term. It is the family’s intention to stay in their new home after reign change.”
The freehold is owned by the Crown Estate and the Waleses will pay market rent.
The Telegraph, London
