Prince William and Kate Middleton. Picture: Royal Hashemite Court/YouTube
A royal expert has warned Prince William moving his family to a “forever home” could come at a huge price.
Earlier this week, news broke the Prince of Wales and his wife, Kate Middleton, will relocate to Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park with their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7. They will remain even after William becomes King.
However, Royal commentator and journalist Robert Jobson told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show that the father-of-three should be “careful” of what he wishes for as the move could make him “become less connected to the people”.
“People do turn out when they see, particularly people like Sophie Wessex and the new Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward.
“They turn out in droves. They like that connection. And if you lose that connection, the monarchy actually loses something that it’s about.
“I think you’ve got to be careful what you wish for.”
But for the time being, as William is changing “things the way he wants to”, the expert said fans of the Royal Family will just have to “wait and see”.
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Prince William and Kate, pictured with children Louis, Charlotte and George, are moving to their “forever home”. Picture: @KensingtonRoyal on X
The Wales family is moving into an eight-bedroom house called Forest Lodge. Picture: Getty Images
William’s time to become the future King is still away – and in the meantime, “he’s very much focusing on his young family”, The Sun’s royal editor Matt Wilkinson said.
“Remember, Charles as King doesn’t have a very young family that he has to make sure he’s at home when they get back from school – that’s what William enjoys,” Mr Wilkinson said.
“He enjoys the school run, and he wants to bring his children up in the countryside.
“His life is very different to what King Charles’ is.
“I know the late Queen Elizabeth II, she worked extremely hard when she was bringing up her children, but that’s what William perhaps is choosing not to do. But it’s a different era as well.’’
The Wales family has been residing at Adelaide Cottage, located near Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England.
Insiders told The Sun they are hoping for a “fresh start” after a difficult time at Adelaide Cottage, during which Queen Elizabeth died and Kate and King Charles were diagnosed with cancer.
While Mr Jobson was understanding of the family going through “a difficult time” and raising three kids, “the role of the monarch is one where duty has to come first”.
“I don’t think there’s any way around that unless you want to have a part-time monarch or a president,” he said.
“The reality is that is the job. It’s a job for life and it’s a job that’s pretty relentless.”
The park around Forest Lodge. Picture: Heritage Images/Getty Images
Work has already started on minor internal and external renovations at Forest Lodge — and the Waleses aim to be in by Christmas.
The home offers spectacular views and football-mad William will be able to see the Wembley Arch from his bedroom window.
And Kate has already been spotted picking new furniture to kit out the new abode, including a 24-seater table.
The freehold is owned by the King in care of The Crown Estate.
Forest Lodge was last renovated in 2001 at a cost of £1.5 million ($A3.1 million) and went on the rental market for £15,000 ($A31,000) a month.
At the time, the eight-bedroom property was valued at £5.5 million ($A11.4 million) but according to house price indices, the home would be worth about £16 million ($A32 million) if sold on the open market.
Parts of this story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.
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