Prince William set to shun Buckingham Palace move when he is King

Prince William is set to make a controversial decision to move his family into their forever home, which may leave Buckingham Palace without the sitting monarch as a tenant when he ascends to the throne.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have reportedly fallen in love with the 300-year-old Forest Lodge, one of the houses in their burgeoning property portfolio, and will look to make it their residence toward the end of 2025.

The Daily Mail has revealed that William may be the first monarch since medieval times not to live in a castle or a palace.

The eight-bedroom Forest Lodge is a three-storey home described as having exquisite marble fireplaces and a half-barrel-vaulted ceiling with six bathrooms, a long gallery and a tennis court.

Prince William and Princess Kate have been living with their family in the nearby Adelaide Cottage since 2022 and are set to move into the new digs that have housed equerries, private secretaries and other royal staff over the years

Despite Forest Lodge’s size it does not compare to their “official residence” at Kensington Palace, the apartment 1A.

Apartment 1A is split across four floors and includes multiple reception rooms, staff bedrooms and even a gym.

Forest Lodge

Kate and William’s new home was renovated in 2001 but is currently undergoing new works paid for the by the royal couple.

The Mail On Sunday reported that earlier this summer two separate families who lived in cottages next to the country mansion were asked to vacate their properties.

The cottages, converted from Forest Lodge’s stables, are understood to have been rented out by the Crown Estate, and the tenants, are said to have been “surprised” at being asked to leave.

It is understood that no eviction notices were served and the tenants have moved to similar or better housing elsewhere in the 4,800-acre Great Park.

“They were told to move out. I guess they were given somewhere else, but they were told they had to move,” a source said.

“They were not expecting it. Those houses are very close to the lodge, so they’re not going to want any Tom, Dick or Harry living in those houses if there are going to be royals there.”

There are growing questions in the UK over the viability of William and Kate’s use of Kensington Palace - not least because the Kensington apartment was refurbished in 2014 at a cost of £4.5 million to the public purse and is now used barely a handful of times a year.

At present, no members of the Royal Family reside at the Palace due to this mammoth ten-year re-servicing programme, which is required to bring the crumbling royal residence up to scratch.

Prince William is reported to be taking pragmati’ approach to Buckingham Palace in the future, stressing that Forest Lodge will be his family’s only “long-term” home.

Similar to his father, William will also be looking to radically change how the palaces are used.

The Prince is keen to open Buckingham Palace to a greater number of tourists each year than at present. This would generate funds for its future upkeep while lessening pressure on the public purse.

The Prince of Wales also wants to see the amount of official entertaining that goes on at the Palace expanded, possibly even using it for government and charitable events.

Anmer Hall

Kate and William also own Anmer Hall in Norfolk - close to Sandringham Palace - where the royals typically holiday.

The 18th century Georgian property is likely to hold a sentimental place in their hearts, with the house having been a wedding present from the late Queen Elizabeth II.

And it was no small gift, with the hall boasting ten bedrooms, a swimming pool and a tennis court.