William and Kate's move 'surprised everyone' and was life-changing decision for children

A charming four-bedroom cottage in the Home Counties, Adelaide Cottage, has become the perfect fit for the future King and his wife, who "surprised everyone" with a life-altering choice for their children's sake, according to an expert.

Now the main abode of the Prince and Princess of Wales, this two-storey gem is situated within the vast 655-acre Windsor Home Park, just a stone's throw from Windsor Castle.

Both aged 42, William and Kate have waved goodbye to their opulent Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace, opting instead for a more down-to-earth existence at their new home in 2022, aiming to provide a normal upbringing for their young brood – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.

"They are very, very happy there. Being able to live in the middle of Windsor Home Park, where they're not overlooked and can come and go in complete privacy, makes the downsize from Kensington Palace worth it on every level," commented royal commentator Katie Nicholl, author of Kate: The Future Queen.

"There's not a huge amount of space, but Adelaide Cottage ticks all the right boxes."

The couple's decision to move is believed to be driven by a wish to offer their children a taste of normal life, away from the prying eyes surrounding Kensington Palace. Additionally, the relocation brought them nearer to the Queen, who sadly passed away just weeks after they settled in.

Despite its seemingly modest four bedrooms – a stark contrast to the lavish seven-bedroom Royal Lodge where Prince Andrew resides – Adelaide Cottage promises ample space for family life, especially given the lack of live-in staff. Instead, aides commute to the property for work, reports the Mirror.

"I think they surprised a lot of people when they moved there," said Duncan Larcombe, a royal commentator. "There are plenty of other places they could have moved to, but Adelaide Cottage fits with their desire as parents to be a normal family, where there aren't servants and they don't have 30 rooms. William would much rather have his kids around him, in the rooms next door to where he's sleeping."

With its distinctive pale pink walls and privacy afforded by surrounding mature trees, the cottage boasts well-tended gardens framed by immaculate hedges. For Kate, the cottage has been a tranquil sanctuary this year as she recovers from cancer treatment.

"Kate's been able to go out for walks and enjoy the fresh air, rather than be cooped up in some draughty old palace in London," noted Duncan. "She's happy there, with her family around her."

Conveniently located just a 15-minute drive from Lambrook, where the children attend school, and under an hour away from the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, Adelaide Cottage is perfectly positioned. "The proximity to the school and the proximity to Kate's parents makes it absolutely ideal," Duncan commented.

"The kids spend a lot of time with their grandparents, and when William and Kate are both working, the Middletons can step in. That's a huge advantage for any young family."

The cottage, built in 1831 and named after King William IV's wife, Queen Adelaide, served as her summer house.

It's a classic example of a cottage orné – a French term for 'decorated cottage' – and features distinctive architectural elements like twin chimneys with stepped bases at the south entrance and a porte-cochère to protect from the weather.

Additionally, there's an eye-catching veranda on the east side.

In October 2022, Kate offered a sneak peek into the interior of Adelaide Cottage, sharing a video during Addiction Awareness Week that included a scene from their living room, revealing a simple cream sofa adorned with colourful cushions, surrounded by framed family photos and houseplants.

Prince William and Kate Middleton are believed to have filmed their congratulatory video message to Team GB following the Paris 2024 Olympics in the garden of their residence at Adelaide Cottage, set against a backdrop of beautiful roses and lush greenery.

Initially, it was thought that the couple would reside at the nearby Royal Lodge, home to Prince Andrew for the past two decades.

The grand mansion, boasting around 30 rooms, is significantly larger than Adelaide Cottage and reportedly costs a whopping £400,000 annually to maintain. Despite this, earlier this year, whispers suggested that the Duke, whose former wife Sarah, Duchess of York, lives in a separate wing of the lodge, had turned down the chance to move into Frogmore Cottage, previously home to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Regardless, William and Kate appear quite happy with Adelaide Cottage, a property favoured by senior royals for many years. Queen Victoria, who spent most of her reign at the nearby Windsor Castle, often relished breakfast or afternoon tea at Adelaide.

Her beloved King Charles spaniel, Dash, is buried within the grounds, marked with a special plaque. Before the Duke and Duchess's relocation, the property was occupied by Simon Rhodes, son of Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, Margaret Rhodes, and Sir Hugh Roberts, ex-director of the Royal Collection.

The most infamous – and scandalous – past resident of Adelaide Cottage was Princess Margaret's lover, Royal Air Force Group Captain Peter Townsend. In the 1940s, he lived there with his wife, Rosemary, and their children.

The marriage fell apart in 1952, after which Townsend proposed to a young Princess Margaret at just 22. However, due to the Royal Marriages Act of 1772 and Townsend being a divorcee, Queen Elizabeth II denied her sister permission to marry.

Townsend was notably unimpressed with the residence, once calling it an "icebox" due to its sparse heating. The weak electricity supply from Windsor Castle added to the discomfort.

A critic also panned the Victorian wallpaper and bulky furniture, describing them as "pokey and unattractive".

However, a major refurbishment in 2015 saved the Prince and Princess of Wales from having to renovate the interiors themselves.

The cottage now features gilt dolphins and ropework from an old Royal yacht on the master bedroom ceiling. Katie noted: "It's cosy, it's not too vast and it feels like home."

She added that it's ideal for raising a young family, allowing Kate and William to bring up their children with a nod to their royal status, but with a greater emphasis on a normal and ordinary upbringing.

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