Fresh details have emerged regarding Prince William and Princess Catherine’s lease on Forest Lodge.
Among documents published on December 2 by the Public Accounts Committee into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s lease on Royal Lodge was information pertaining to all leases occupied by members of the royal family.
Subsequently, new light has been shed on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ residence.
According to the briefing, William and Kate, both 43, signed a 20-year lease on their forever home, Forest Lodge.
Lease agreement on Forest Lodge
According to insiders, the couple plan to reside at Forest Lodge with their children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, even after William becomes king.
“Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales hold a 20-year non-assignable lease with The Crown Estate for Forest Lodge, commencing 5 July 2025,” the documents state.
Forest Lodge was formerly a ‘grace and favour’ residence – a property owned by a monarch or government and leased rent-free as part of employment or for services rendered.
In the early 1900s, it was returned to the Crown Estate by Queen Elizabeth II.
The briefing reveals that market terms were negotiated with the Crown Estate, which conducted the due diligence.
Valuation advice was sought from two independent valuers – Hamptons and Savills – before contracts were entered into.
William and Kate reportedly paid for minor renovations themselves, while they also covered moving expenses.
As a thank you to builders and staff for making their move happen ahead of their Christmas schedule, they threw a party at a local pub.
Will and Kate’s new home
Venetian windows, marble fireplaces, a chandelier-lit ballroom, and a barrel-vaulted ceiling in the hallway. It sounds like the description of a house fit for a king… and that’s because it is.
Prince William and Princess Catherine have officially traded Adelaide Cottage for their lavish new home, Forest Lodge, with the move reportedly having taken place during school half-term holidays.
A source had previously told Daily Mail that the royal couple had hoped to be in residence in time for Bonfire Night in the UK, which is on November 5, as it would “make a fun start for the children”.
“The builders have been working flat out, week-in, week-out, so that the family could move in as soon as possible,” another source told the publication.
“Christmas was always the deadline, but it’s great that it’s going to happen much earlier.”
Reportedly, the royal couple were determined to have a fresh start with their family after Kate and Charles’ cancer diagnoses and the loss of Queen Elizabeth II.
Who are Wills and Kate’s neigbours?
With the move has come a new setback – in that Forest Lodge is a mere 2km from the home currently occupied by William’s disgraced uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
While Andrew is due to move to Norfolk “as soon as practicable” after being stripped of his royal titles amid ongoing questions over his links with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, it means William and Kate are practically within waving distance until then.
“Catherine shudders at the thought of living so close to Royal Lodge while Prince Andrew is still in it,” a source told Daily Mail, adding that William wanted his uncle “gone”.
The opulent new abode that is William and Kate’s new “forever home” sits just over 6km from their current cottage, and yet is something of an upgrade.
The 4,800-acre Windsor Great Park remains right on their doorstep, but this new Grade-II listed mansion has an impressive eight bedrooms and is said to be worth up to $AUD33 million on the open market.
The mansion – which was admired by King George IV and King Edward VIII – last underwent extensive renovation back in 2001, in a project that cost the equivalent of $AUD3 million.
At the time, work was done to retain its substantial period details, with the aim of the home being rented out for a whopping $AUD31,000 per month.
In June 2025, an application was submitted seeking permission for some minor works to take place.
This included replacing some doors and windows, stripping out internal walls and renovating some floors and ceilings, The Independent reported.
Permission for the work was subsequently granted by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
In addition to the work, two separate families who live in cottages close to the mansion were asked to leave.
“They were told to move out. I guess they were given somewhere else, but they were told they had to move,” a source told Mail on Sunday.
“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.”
The Sun reported that Kate had already been spotted selecting new furniture for the home, including a huge 24-seat dining table.
“Windsor has become their home,” a source confirmed to the publication. “However, over the last few years, while they have lived at Adelaide Cottage, there have been some really difficult times.
“Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter; an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind,” the insider continued.
“This is a move for the long-term. They see it as their forever home.”
A source also told the Daily Mail that she has sourced furniture and furnishings from companies in the UK.
“She loves interior design and is a big champion of the British textiles industry. After all, this will be their forever home. They are ready as a family to move forwards,” she said.
Those in the know say the location allows Kate and William to be “as hands-on as possible” as parents while maintaining their public-facing roles.
Forest Lodge is also close to Lambrook School, where all three children attend school.
Where is William and Kate’s main residence?
Kate and William have lived in several places over the years, including a house share with two friends while they were at the University of St Andrews together in 2002.
They later called a four-bedroom cottage on the Isle of Anglesey home, while William worked as a search and rescue pilot.
For a time, they lived in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, and in Apartment 1a in the palace, which is still listed as their official London base.
Giving a rare insight into family life at a St Patrick’s Day parade in March 2025, Kate revealed the family moved to Windsor “for more green space”.
“It’s close enough to London, not too far away,” she said.
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