The Cambridges are starting a new chapter. Prince William and Kate Middleton reportedly plan to move their main family residence from Kensington Palace in London to a home on the same estate as Windsor Castle this summer, according to a report from The Sunday Times.
Though the British paper does not specify which home on the vast estate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge plan to occupy along with their three children, Prince George, 8, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4, there were reports earlier this year that they planned to move to Fort Belvedere, a Gothic Revival manor home built in the early 18th century and extensively renovated in 1929 by Edward, Prince of Wales. He was forced to leave the residence when he abdicated the throne in 1936 (in favor of marrying American divorcée Wallis Simpson), but not before adding a swimming pool, tennis court, numerous bathrooms and powder rooms, and a steam room to the home.
Whether the family moves to Belvedere or another home in the area, the Times reports that a few different factors contributed to the decision. First, life in Windsor will provide William, Kate, and the kids with more space and privacy than they had in London. Second, the family could be eyeing a move to Windsor Castle eventually. Sometimes nicknamed “the big house,” the 484,000-square-foot castle has long been where Queen Elizabeth II spends her weekends as well as the Easter holiday. But with the monarch’s advancing age and health issues, the royal family is likely making plans for the future. The Times reports that Prince Charles, William’s father and the next in line to the throne, does not plan to spend as much time at Windsor as his mother, the Queen, did.
William and Kate will still maintain Kensington Palace Apartment 1A as their London headquarters. The couple also spends time at their country home, Anmer Hall, on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England.
