It is a crisp January in 2026, and the royal housing shuffle has finally settled. If you’ve been following the breadcrumbs left by the British tabloids over the last year, you know the Prince and Princess of Wales have been surprisingly busy with cardboard boxes and bubble wrap. Honestly, the question of where will kate and william live has shifted from a "maybe" to a very permanent "here."
The short answer? They aren’t moving into Windsor Castle, despite what those early rumors suggested. They aren't heading back to the "goldfish bowl" of London full-time either. As of right now, the family is officially waking up every morning at Forest Lodge.
The Big Move to Forest Lodge
Basically, the Wales family decided they needed more than the four bedrooms at Adelaide Cottage. Can you blame them? Three growing kids—Prince George (now 12), Princess Charlotte (10), and Prince Louis (7)—plus a security detail and the general chaos of life meant Adelaide was feeling a bit cramped.
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Forest Lodge is a total vibe shift. Located deep within the 4,800-acre Windsor Great Park, this Grade II-listed Georgian mansion is what insiders are calling their "forever home." It’s about four miles from their old spot, but it feels worlds apart. It has eight bedrooms, a proper ballroom, and—get this—a private lake. Princess Kate is famously obsessed with "cold swimming," so having a lake on her doorstep is a massive perk.
Why They Left Adelaide Cottage
You’ve probably heard some people calling Adelaide Cottage "cursed" or a "place of pain." Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith actually told People that the cottage became tied to some of their hardest years. Think about it: they moved in, and almost immediately, Queen Elizabeth II passed away. Then came the fallout with Prince Harry’s memoir, and then the incredibly difficult year of 2024 with the Princess’s cancer diagnosis.
Moving to Forest Lodge in late 2025 was a psychological reset. A fresh start.
Where Will Kate and William Live in the Long Term?
The most interesting thing about this move is the paperwork. Unlike many royal residences where people just "stay," William and Kate signed a 20-year non-assignable lease with the Crown Estate that started in July 2025. This isn't a temporary stopgap. They are paying market-rate rent—reportedly around £15,000 to £20,000 a month—using funds from the Duchy of Cornwall.
They’re treating this like a real family home. Kate was even spotted recently looking at mood boards and picking out a 24-seat dining table. You don't buy a table that big if you're planning on moving into the Castle next Tuesday.
The Security Fortress
Privacy is the name of the game here. Forest Lodge is tucked away in a "huge private chunk" of the park.
- There is a 2.3-mile exclusion zone around the house.
- Locals have lost access to the Cranbourne Gate entrance.
- A 150-acre perimeter is strictly enforced by the police.
It’s isolated. That’s the point. The kids can cycle for miles without a single paparazzi lens poking through the hedges. However, this isolation comes with some weird rules. Because it’s in the Great Park, Prince William has reportedly been hit with a ban on his beloved e-scooter. The park rules are super strict about "motorized transport" on those specific paths.
What About Their Other Houses?
They haven't totally ditched their other properties. Anmer Hall in Norfolk remains their sanctuary for school holidays and Christmas. It’s their 10-bedroom "haunted" country house (yes, there's a legend about a priest’s ghost, but the royals think it’s a hoot).
Then there’s Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace. They still keep it as their London "office" and base for city engagements, but it’s no longer where they "live." They recently had a bit of a scare there when a break-in occurred while they were away at Sandringham for the holidays. It’s a reminder that even for the future King, no home is 100% fortress-proof.
The Middletons Are Moving In (Sorta)
One of the best details about Forest Lodge is the "secret guesthouse." It’s been renovated specifically so Carole and Michael Middleton can stay for long periods. Kate is incredibly close to her parents, and having them nearby as the kids hit their teenage years is clearly a priority.
Actionable Insights for Royal Watchers
If you’re trying to keep track of the Wales' movements in 2026, here is the breakdown:
1. Watch the School Run: The kids are still at Lambrook School. Since Forest Lodge is only a few miles from the school, their daily routine hasn't actually changed much, which provides some much-needed stability.
2. Follow the Renovations: Kate is currently in her "interior design era." Keep an eye on official photos from their audiences; you'll likely see a shift from the traditional "museum" style of their London home to a more relaxed, "Old Money" Georgian aesthetic in the Forest Lodge background.
3. The Prince Andrew Factor: Part of the reason Forest Lodge was available is the ongoing reshuffle involving Royal Lodge and Prince Andrew. While that drama is separate, the fact that William and Kate have secured their "forever" spot means they are staying out of the "Big House" (Windsor Castle) for the foreseeable future. They want to be parents first, royals second.
The move to Forest Lodge is a definitive statement. They are choosing a life that is semi-private, expensive, and deeply focused on their kids' childhoods in the Berkshire countryside.