Royal Family Windsor Estate Move: Forest Lodge Details

For a family whose lives play out under relentless scrutiny, finding a place that actually feels like home is harder than it sounds. Prince William and Princess Kate appear to have found theirs: an eight-bedroom house in Windsor Great Park that will become their permanent family base.

New Home: Forest Lodge, Windsor Great Park ·
Moving Family: William, Kate, George, Charlotte, Louis ·
Announcement: August 2025 ·
Previous Residence: Adelaide Cottage ·
Estate Size: 5,200 acres

The table below consolidates key property details sourced from royal household records, historic listings, and news reporting.

Who lives in Forest Lodge, Windsor Great Park?

According to exclusive reporting by The Sun, Prince William and Princess Kate are the primary occupants moving into Forest Lodge with their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The property is intended as the family’s permanent home, a place where the Wales family can establish roots away from the public eye that comes with official residences.

History of Forest Lodge

The property carries a significant royal heritage. Built in 1697 as Holly Grove, the house was sold to King George IV in 1829. The monarch never lived there personally but installed the deputy park ranger in the property. In the 1930s, the name changed from Holly Grove to Forest Lodge, and the property has hosted various tenants since then.

Recent royal move details

The family currently resides at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Great Park, a four-bedroom property they moved into in September 2022. Forest Lodge, by contrast, offers eight bedrooms along with several cottages, outbuildings, a pond, and a tennis court—a substantial upgrade in space that accommodates a growing family’s needs.

Who currently lives at Fort Belvedere?

Fort Belvedere is a historic royal residence located in Windsor Great Park, distinct from Forest Lodge. Unlike Forest Lodge, which appears set to house the Wales family, Fort Belvedere has a separate royal history tied to different family members over the decades.

Past residents

The house has historical connections to various members of the royal family, serving as a private retreat and weekend home for several generations. Windsor Great Park, managed by the Crown Estate, encompasses numerous royal properties, each with distinct tenancy histories.

Current status

As of 2026, the current occupancy status of Fort Belvedere remains unclear without direct confirmation from royal household sources. The property’s Surrey location within the Windsor estate boundaries places it in a different section from Forest Lodge.

Do Kate and William sleep in the same bed?

Royal sleeping arrangements have long fascinated the public, though verified information is scarce. Multiple tabloid sources have speculated about separate bedrooms at various royal properties, but the royal household does not publicly confirm such private details.

Sleeping arrangements explained

British royal tradition historically includes separate bedrooms for married couples—this was considered proper etiquette in upper-class households and continues in some aristocratic circles. At larger royal properties, having separate bedrooms is practical given the scale of the residences and the schedules of working royals.

Reasons for separate beds

The reasons, if true, would likely mirror general aristocratic practice: different sleep schedules, the demands of royal duties, and the sheer size of properties like Forest Lodge. The Wales family’s move to a larger property may actually provide more flexibility in how they configure living spaces.

Why do Kate and William sleep in separate beds?

Without official confirmation, any discussion of sleeping arrangements remains speculative. However, royal living customs offer context for why separate bedrooms might exist at Windsor properties.

Tradition in royal homes

Separate bedrooms were standard in Victorian and Edwardian aristocratic households and remain common in British nobility. The late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip famously maintained separate bedrooms at royal residences, which was considered entirely normal within royal circles.

Practical reasons

With three young children in the household, separate bedrooms could also serve practical purposes—different bedtime routines, early morning schedules for school, and the general logistics of managing a busy family home. Prince William’s childhood ties to Windsor suggest this is a familiar environment for the family.

What is Kate Middleton’s favorite food?

Princess Kate’s food preferences have been documented through various royal appearances and public events over the years. While no formal royal household statement lists her definitive favorite foods, several preferences have emerged through observation and reporting.

Shared snacks with family

Royal chefs and former staff have occasionally noted that Kate enjoys cooking for her family and emphasizes wholesome, locally-sourced ingredients. The Princess of Wales has been photographed tending family gardens and has shown interest in teaching her children about food origins.

Preferences post-move

Forest Lodge’s location within Windsor Great Park offers access to extensive grounds that may include kitchen gardens. The property’s amenities—reportedly including cottages, a pond, and outbuildings—suggest space for domestic pursuits that could influence family food choices.

Timeline of Royal Moves Within Windsor Great Park

Five major milestones trace the Wales family’s Windsor estate history, from property origins to the proposed Forest Lodge relocation.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

This is intended to be the permanent home for William, Catherine, George, Charlotte and Louis.

— The Sun (exclusive report)

Do not expect the family to ever live at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle now.

— The Telegraph royal correspondent

The Wales family’s potential move to Forest Lodge marks a significant shift in how they approach royal life. After years of living in smaller properties while raising their children in the public eye, a larger family home within Windsor Great Park offers practical space and a sense of permanence. The property’s history—from its origins in 1697 through royal ownership and multiple tenancies—adds another layer to the family’s Windsor story.

For readers following royal movements, the situation remains fluid. Kensington Palace has not issued official confirmation as of early 2026, meaning the specifics of timing and arrangement may continue to evolve. What seems clear is the family’s apparent preference for Windsor as a long-term base—a decision that aligns with Prince William’s childhood connections to the area.

Related reading: Stansted Airport Drop Off Guide · Argan Oil for Hair Guide

Prince William and Princess Kate’s move to Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park draws on a property with a history and royal facts stretching back to the 1770s.

Frequently asked questions