Key Highlights
- The Prince and Princess of Wales have moved to Forest Lodge in Windsor.
- The property has not had any house sales reported since 1995.
- The average house price in The Royal Borough is approximately £476,000.
- Windsor faces challenges in making housing more affordable for residents.
New Home for the Prince and Princess of Wales
The move to Forest Lodge marks a significant step in the lives of Prince William and Princess Kate. The royal couple, along with their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—have shifted from Adelaide Cottage into this new property ahead of Bonfire Night.
Forever Home or Long-Term Commitment?
The key clue that suggests a long-term commitment lies in the housing statistics of Forest Lodge’s postcode. According to Streetcheck.co.uk, there have been no house sales reported to the Land Registry in this postcode since 1 January 1995. This implies that despite having 185 different house types within the area, none have changed hands over three decades, a period significantly longer than William and Kate’s marriage.
This housing statistic is particularly telling as it speaks to the stability and long-standing nature of the area. The fact that no property has been sold in this postcode for 30 years suggests a strong community commitment to their homes, which aligns with the royal family’s sentiments expressed by Danielle Stacey, HELLO!’s Online Royal Correspondent.
Leasing from the Crown Estate
Although they do not own Forest Lodge, Prince William and Princess Kate are leasing it from the Crown Estate. This move to a larger property has been viewed as their ‘forever home,’ rather than having their children grow up within the confines of a palace.
Around Windsor: A Homey Feel
The family’s love for Windsor is well-documented, with William and Kate first moving there in 2022. The area offers an abundance of green space, safe streets, fantastic facilities, strong local businesses, and employment opportunities. However, the Royal Borough faces challenges in making housing more affordable.
According to the council’s plan for 2024-2026, they aim to “create homes for ownership by working with partners to create a ladder of housing opportunity, particularly for social housing tenants” and “assess the needs of Gypsy and Traveller communities within the Borough and seek appropriate sites to increase supply and support sustainable communities.”
With an average house price in The Royal Borough of approximately £476,000, which is over 15 times the average UK salary (£30,420), many residents face difficulties in getting into sustainable rented accommodation or onto the house ladder. This highlights the broader economic challenges faced by local communities despite Windsor’s reputation as one of the best places to live.
Conclusion
The move to Forest Lodge signals a significant commitment from Prince William and Princess Kate, both personally and for their family’s future in Windsor. The strong community ties and long-standing nature of housing in this postcode suggest that they may indeed be staying put for the long haul. As the Crown Estate continues to lease the property, it remains to be seen how this will impact the wider housing market dynamics in the area.
