Prince William and Kate Middleton have officially moved into their new residence, trading Adelaide Cottage for the larger and more secluded Forest Lodge — an eight-bedroom property located on the Windsor estate.
The move comes just ahead of Prince William’s solo trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he will attend the annual Earthshot Prize Awards. The couple’s relocation marks another shift in their growing list of royal homes and is believed to offer more space and privacy for their family.
According to property expert Russell Quirk, the royal couple’s new home doesn’t come cheap. He told the Manchester Evening News that rental prices in areas like Windsor have soared in recent years, estimating that the couple is likely paying around £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 remarks shared by the Mirror. He added that government policy has played a significant role in driving up demand for 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 property on stamp duty.”
Quirk went on to note that the strength of the rental market has led to sharp increases in rates. “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,” he said.
Forest Lodge offers a quieter retreat compared to the family’s previous residence, while keeping them close to Windsor Castle and the children’s school. The timing of the move, just before William’s overseas engagement, suggests the Waleses are settling into a more permanent royal base as they balance public duties with family life.