The Prince and Princess of Wales have lived in Windsor since 2022, after making the decision to leave London behind, giving their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis a quieter life in leafy surroundings. For three years, they resided at Adelaide Cottage, but at the end of last year, they decided to upgrade to the eight-bed Forest Lodge, located nearby. Back in London, they still use Apartment 1A inside Kensington Palace as a city base for when work requires them to be in town, and it is this property that is undergoing painstaking changes.
In a social media post by Historic Royal Palaces, it has been revealed that the iconic golden gates outside the palace need to be restored. The post on X (formerly known as Twitter), read: "Conserving Kensington Palace's Golden Gates. These iconic gates, which we know mean a lot to a lot of people, are off to a blacksmith's workshop for some careful repairs and conservation work over the coming months. But don’t worry, they will be back home later in the year!"
As well as the legendary building being Grade-I listed, the gates themselves are listed items. Historic England explains their exact composition: "Pair of brick gatepiers with stone bases and cornice and panelled fronts, supporting wrought iron lamp brackets with square lanterns with royal crowns. Coade stone statues over of a lion and unicorn holding shields of the Hanoverian arms." With historical items from listed buildings, experts are required to ensure perfect preservation so it is not surprising that this process can take months.
© Getty ImagesWhat is Prince William and Princess Kate's palace home like?
Apartment 1A, despite sounding small, actually takes up half a wing inside the palace, according to reports. It is made up of 20 different rooms, including five reception rooms, three main bedrooms, dressing rooms, a nursery, a gym, and staff quarters.
While the interiors of their abode stay largely under wraps, we have been treated to looks at William and Kate's office spaces during the course of the pandemic. Kate's was curated with pastel-hued Penguin Clothbound Classic books, while William's was more minimalist, featuring just a practical lamp and a printer nearby.
Prince William and Princess Kate new Windsor home
© Getty ImagesPrince William and Princess Kate are leasing Forest Lodge, within Windsor Great Park, and this eight-bedroom residence is the perfect sanctuary for them to raise their kids.
The royal couple have stuck with their decision to have no live-in staff at this property, however, Forest Lodge does come with a "self-contained flat", which the family could use for guests coming to stay.
It has been clarified by the palace that the couple are paying "market rent" for the impressive mansion. Also, the lease agreement stands at 20 years, which shows that William and his family intend to be there for the long run. The official report reads: "A 20-year non-assignable lease with The Crown Estate for Forest Lodge, commencing 5 July 2025."
