A royal insider has shed light on 'difficult times' which allegedly spurred Prince William and Kate Middleton's decision to move from their current home in Adelaide Cottage to a new property in Windsor Great Park.
News of the move broke earlier today, with sources close to Prince William and Kate Middleton revealing that the couple are set to move into the eight-bedroom Forest Lodge later this year in what will be a tradition-breaking move.
The 328-year-old lodge - which the parents-of-three are reportedly keen on making their 'forever home' - sits in a quiet part of the 4,800-acre Windsor estate, offering views over both Berkshire and London.
William, Kate and their children - Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte - have lived in Adelaide Cottage in Windsor since 2022, following their relocation from Kensington Palace in London.
Advert
Discussing the move from the cottage less than three years later, however, the royal source claimed that it had largely been spurred by the desire to abolish some unhappy memories.
They told the BBC today (18 Aug): "Windsor has become their home. However, over the last few years, while they have lived at Adelaide Cottage, there have been some really difficult times.
"Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter. It's an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind."
Advert
While they opted not to go into further detail on these 'really difficult times', it is likely that the insider is referring to both a number of family deaths, as well as several serious health diagnoses.
The same year that the Wales' moved to Adelaide Cottage, the family matriarch Queen Elizabeth II - William's grandmother - sadly died, on 8 September 2022.
Less than two years later, William's father, King Charles III, revealed he'd been diagnosed with cancer.
Advert
In April of this year, King Charles described his health blow as a 'frightening experience'.
In March 2024, Kate also revealed that she'd been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing surgery in January following several weeks away from the spotlight.
Despite going on to confirm in September that her treatment was complete and declare that her cancer was in remission in January of this year, William previously described 2024 as the 'hardest year' of his life.
"It's been dreadful," he confessed during an event in South Africa back in November.
Advert
"So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult."
Kate also discussed her 'rollercoaster' treatment during an appearance at a hospital in Essex (via the BBC) this July, telling attendees: "It’s not one smooth plane, which you expect it to be.
"But the reality is it’s not. You go through hard times."
It is believed that the couple are now set to move into Forest Lodge before Christmas - provided that renovations at the Grade II-listed house are completed in time.
Advert
The move will also break royal tradition, making the family the first monarchs not to live in a palace or castle when the future king does eventually succeed his father, King Charles.
Topics: Kate Middleton, Royal Family, Prince William, UK News
Rhianna Benson