Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, have made the decision to uproot their lives in London and move to Windsor with their three children.
The move to the charming Adelaide cottage in Windsor comes as a desire for a quieter pace of life.
Although they haven’t bid farewell to their London residence at Kingston and Palace permanently, the new cottage offers a stark contrast to their previous 20-room, four-storey apartment.
The relocation of the Wales family from London’s Kingston and Palace was primarily motivated by the well-being of their children.
According to a friend of the family, the children felt restricted living in London, unable to freely play in the park with their friends.
The friend expressed hopes for more freedom and playtime for the kids, now that they have Adelaide cottage as their normal family home.
Compared to their former lavish lifestyle in London, the Wales family’s life in Windsor is notably modest.
It is interesting to note that they chose to downsize to the Grade II listed cottage instead of the grander Windsor Castle, which could have been a possibility considering Prince William and Prince George’s future roles as potential kings.
In addition to their move, the couple also announced that their former live-in nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrello, will no longer be residing with the family.
She had been living in Kensington Palace since Prince George was a baby.
The family’s new home is situated on the Windsor Home Park estate in Berkshire, just a short 10-minute walk from Windsor Castle.
Archival images and paintings of the property showcase its fairy tale-like exterior.
Described as picturesque, the cottage features a slate roof, a marble Greco-Egyptian fireplace, and a south entrance adorned with two diagonally set chimneys.
Inside the cottage, there are four bedrooms.
The only glimpse of the interiors that royal fans have had was during a virtual call with Prince William.
The bedroom is said to feature golden dolphins and ceiling rope decorations recycled from a 19th-century royal yacht, creating an interesting nautical-inspired theme.
The Wales family made it clear that they wanted a pleasant family home without any extravagant features or the need for additional security measures that would burden taxpayers.
Their main requirement was proximity to schools.
As a result, the cottage now boasts a Greyville driveway, a red brick outbuilding, and a gatehouse for added security.
Adelaide Cottage has a rich history of previous residents and frequent visitors.
A historical painting of the garden reveals its former botanical splendor, complete with an outdoor fountain and circular flower beds.
While we cannot be certain if the garden has changed since then, it is safe to assume that it remains beautiful, considering the standards of royal gardens.
The backstory of the house adds a touch of sweetness.
The royal estate, which dates back to the 17th century, was renovated in honor of Queen Elizabeth II.
It once featured a stucco façade, two large rooms, French windows, fireplaces, a covered veranda, a poured coat chair, and ginger red trim.
During the 1940s, Prince Margaret’s lover Peter Townsend resided in the Grey’s unfavored home with his first wife, Rosemary, so he could be readily available for the king in his role as Eekery.
Later on, Adelaide Cottage was offered to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle by the late Queen Elizabeth II, but they ultimately chose Frogmore Cottage instead.
There are several reasons behind the Welsh’s decision to relocate to the countryside.
Initially, it was believed that they wanted to be closer to Queen Elizabeth II, who unfortunately passed away in the same month the family moved.
Another driving factor was the desire to escape the constant scrutiny of London, providing their children with more privacy.
Additionally, the close proximity to Kate’s immediate family may have played a role in their decision.