Kate Middleton and Prince William’s new home reveals a surprising bedroom detail

Every new year brings the promise of a reset, but for Kate, the start of 2026 looks especially meaningful. Prince George is preparing for senior school, and the Prince and Princess of Wales are settling into their first full year at Forest Lodge, the new family home in Windsor Great Park. The move marks a big shift from Adelaide Cottage and feels like a symbolic step forward after what has been an incredibly tough period.

Forest Lodge is an eight-bedroom Georgian mansion tucked away among woodland, and it is already being described as a forever home. With Kate’s health hopefully continuing to improve, the house represents more than just extra space. It is a chance to focus on happier moments and leave behind the shadow of her cancer battle. “After a very difficult two years, I think the family will all be looking forward to a new chapter,” royal expert Katie Nicholl says. “Forest Lodge is a new start. It’s a chance to leave that difficult period behind and very much look to the future.”

News of the move first surfaced in August 2025 when it emerged that the family would be swapping their four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage for something much larger just four miles away. Forest Lodge dates back to the 1770s and comes with some seriously grand touches, including a sweeping drive, a tennis court, and even a ballroom. Renovation photos from the early 2000s show marble fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, and ornate plasterwork that hint at its historic charm.

The house is owned by the Crown Estate, and while it is reportedly worth around £16 million, William and Kate are renting it. Although no official figure has been confirmed, it is thought the monthly rent could exceed £15,000. “Forest Lodge is obviously a much bigger house, and the couple are calling it their forever home,” Katie Nicholl explains. “Adelaide Cottage was never really big enough for all of them as a family. It was always going to be a stopgap, because they needed a bit more space.”

Privacy has clearly been a priority. The property sits in a secluded part of Windsor Great Park with new gates, fencing, CCTV, and even additional trees installed to shield the family from view. An exclusion area of around 150 acres has also been put in place to keep passers-by at a distance.

Despite the rural feel, the location is practical. It is under an hour from Kate’s parents at Bucklebury Manor, just four miles from Lambrook School and an easy journey to Kensington Palace, where the couple are still based for work.

Before moving in, William and Kate paid privately for renovations, including new doors and windows and the removal of some internal walls. Even so, insiders say Kate’s style remains understated. “Kate has a clear sense of style,” says Katie Nicholl. “It’s contemporary and classic, with neutral shades. If you look at her wardrobe you see a sense of timeless elegance, and that’s very much reflected in her choice of interiors.”

Kate has previously worked with interior designer Ben Pentreath on both Anmer Hall in Norfolk and their Kensington Palace apartment. While their London base has around 20 rooms and Anmer Hall boasts a tennis court and swimming pool, Kate is known for mixing high-end pieces with high street finds. “She’s not overly ostentatious,” Nicholl adds. “When it comes to her wardrobe, she mixes McQueen with a bit of high street, and I think she’ll do the same when it comes to interior design at home.”

With three young children, Forest Lodge is expected to be practical and family-focused. George, Charlotte, and Louis already have IKEA pieces in their bedrooms and love baking, crafting, and playing outdoors. The family are keen gardeners too. “We grow our own vegetables,” Kate has said. “We’ve got carrots, beans, beetroot, a massive favourite.”

There is also room for fun. Board games like Monopoly and Risk are said to be regular fixtures, even if things get competitive. “Usually everyone gets very cross… because they lose,” William has admitted.

As Katie Nicholl notes, this move could hint at a more down-to-earth approach to royal life in the future. “Perhaps the Prince and Princess of Wales will become our first king and queen not to live in a castle or palace,” she says. For now, Forest Lodge looks set to be the place where a new chapter quietly begins.

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