Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Prince and Princess of Wales, are preparing to settle into their new residence at Windsor Great Park. The couple will move into the property with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Their new home, Forest Lodge, is an eight-bedroom Georgian mansion valued at approximately £16 million. Described as their “forever home,” the move represents a significant step away from the tradition of future monarchs living at Buckingham Palace.
The estate has been in royal possession since 1829 and was last listed for rent at £15,000 per month in 2001. Property experts now estimate that the rent has doubled over the past two decades. Russell Quirk, a housing market analyst, told the Manchester Evening News that William and Kate are likely to pay close to £30,000 per month to the Crown Estate.
“In the last 20 or so years, these things vary region to region, town to town, but suffice to say the likes of Windsor have become ever more popular, particularly with overseas renters,” Quirk explained in comments reported by the Mirror.
He added that rising stamp duty costs have discouraged buyers from purchasing luxury homes, which has in turn driven demand for high-end rental properties. “What has happened over recent years in the previous government and this one is that the stamp duty regime on purchases has become more and more penal and the consequence is now a lot of people are renting instead of buying because they don’t want to pay on a property like that – say a £1 million on stamp duty.”
Quirk concluded that the strong rental market has fueled higher prices. “So the rental market in terms of demand is very, very strong. As a consequence of that, that property has probably doubled in terms of its rent value, so £15,000 a month back in 2001 is now probably £30,000 a month, about £7,000 a week. It’s not insubstantial – lots and lots and lots of demand.”
For William and Kate, the move reflects not only a personal decision for their growing family but also a symbolic break from the traditional royal path. Buckingham Palace has long been the primary residence for reigning monarchs and heirs apparent, but Forest Lodge will now serve as the base for the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Their relocation underscores a modern approach to royal life, one focused on privacy, stability, and creating a lasting home environment for their children as they prepare for their future roles in the monarchy.