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The royal family

Three Houses or Four

231 replies

antelopevalley · 18/08/2022 12:54

Yahoo has an update piece about the three houses the Cambridges now have, alongside some of the renovation costs. Still, it is one less than Charles who has four residences.
William and Charles - the great environmentalists.

"When they moved into Kensington Palace: There was understandably some controversy when it was revealed that the move would also be coming with an eye-watering renovation bill to be picked up by the British taxpayer. Neglected and run-down, Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace required a number of major changes and updates for it to be brought up to liveable standards (and allow the couple to add their own personal touches). In 2014, the Sovereign Grant confirmed that it cost over $5.4 million (£4.5m) to complete.

A necessary investment: At the time, press aides told outlets, including myself, that the costs were a necessary investment as the couple planned to use the property as a permanent base to work and raise a family. This house, they assured, would be their forever home. Though the Cambridges had another residence in Norfolk—a property on the Sandringham Estate for school holidays and escaping the city—the $1.8 million (£1.5m) renovation costs for Anmer Hall, a wedding gift from the Queen, were all paid for privately.

The new driveway: In 2019, the duke and duchess added a further $1.2 million (£1 million) to their Sovereign Grant-funded renovation costs at Kensington Palace by installing a new driveway. It was a figure that left many scratching their heads, but was mostly ignored by sections of the press who were more focused on how much Harry and Meghan would be spending on their new crib.
The move to Windsor: Despite the palace promise, the Cambridges’ time at “KP” has come to an end after nine years. Later this month they will move to a new abode in Windsor, for a life “away from the goldfish bowl” in London and what a source tells me is an effort to give their children “as normal a life as possible”. It’s a decision that has raised a few eyebrows, particularly at a time when the country is dealing with a major cost of living crisis. Picking up a third home, especially when one of them cost the public so much to renovate, is hardly the norm for regular folk.

Adelaide isn’t costing the taxpayers anything?? Still, Adelaide Cottage comes at no expense to anyone but the couple, I’m told. Rather than buy, the couple have chosen to privately rent. Any desired cosmetic work or refurbishments will be paid from their own pockets. (It remains to be seen how the duke and duchess will travel to and from London—their love for helicopter trips, which the British press prefer to turn a blind eye to, are not just an unfair cost to the public but also go completely against William’s environmental concerns).

They wanted to get the kids out of London. “They thought about moving to [their home in] Norfolk, but as active senior working royals they could never be that far away from London, so that’s where Windsor came into the picture,” says the source."
uk.style.yahoo.com/prince-william-kate-windsor-move-kensington-palace-153609273.html

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antelopevalley · 18/08/2022 18:38

It is also close to Catherine's parents.
I wonder why they move now though? I mean it does not matter, it just seems strange to make the move when all three children are already settled in school. But there must be personal reasons I guess.

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Readinginthesun · 18/08/2022 18:42

Is Louis at school ? I know England is different from where I am ( Scotland) but I thought he was just about to start ? I read it was to stop the commute to Battersea ? Yes and be near the Middletons and Pippa .

Roussette · 18/08/2022 18:48

ajandjjmum · 18/08/2022 18:33

I may be wrong, but I didn't think it had been announced. I thought it was probably just informed gossip at this point?

But living in the middle of grounds where their DC can safely play seems a sensible move, particularly if it also facilitates Williams seeing more of HM, and the children going to local schools where they could board in future, if necessary.

It's a four bed house, so not OTT.

It was all over the papers a lot. From June onwards.

Goldpaw · 18/08/2022 18:49

Anyone who thinks the Cambridges will be getting divorced is living in cloud cuckoo land. Even if they weren't getting on, it would be bad for his image and she's invested her adult life so far in becoming queen, so she's not going to drop out now.

Luredbyapomegranate · 18/08/2022 18:52

They can’t really be going to use a 4 bed as their main house though? Surely it’s just for weekends to be near the granny’s.

ajandjjmum · 18/08/2022 18:53

Roussette · 18/08/2022 18:48

It was all over the papers a lot. From June onwards.

I know that, but I've not seen an official confirmation that the move is happening, so wondered if it was just gossip.

LittleBearPad · 18/08/2022 18:54

Luredbyapomegranate · 18/08/2022 18:52

They can’t really be going to use a 4 bed as their main house though? Surely it’s just for weekends to be near the granny’s.

No - the kids are moving schools to Berkshire so it will be the closest house. I’m sure they’ll cope 😁

Roussette · 18/08/2022 18:55

ajandjjmum · 18/08/2022 18:53

I know that, but I've not seen an official confirmation that the move is happening, so wondered if it was just gossip.

Gosh no. They start schools in Windsor in September!

Loads of links about it out there.

Luredbyapomegranate · 18/08/2022 19:00

LittleBearPad · 18/08/2022 18:54

No - the kids are moving schools to Berkshire so it will be the closest house. I’m sure they’ll cope 😁

Blimey, must be temporary then. Must be house hunting for next year, or maybe they are going to returb a bit of the castle 😁

toomuchlaundry · 18/08/2022 19:04

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

antelopevalley · 18/08/2022 19:08

The publicity all says they are using it as their main house. But who knows?

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ajandjjmum · 18/08/2022 19:10

Roussette · 18/08/2022 18:55

Gosh no. They start schools in Windsor in September!

Loads of links about it out there.

But no official statement - as the moment it's all supposition.

May well be true, but it's others gossiping, not confirmation from Kensington Palace.

ajandjjmum · 18/08/2022 19:11

antelopevalley · 18/08/2022 19:08

The publicity all says they are using it as their main house. But who knows?

There is no publicity from any authorised source (as far as I am aware), so no-one really knows!

ajandjjmum · 18/08/2022 19:12

Personally I think HM might have a sneaky little plan to move Andrew off to Mayfair with Fergie, and then William and Kate can take over Royal Lodge. But who knows?

Or maybe the Yorks and the Cambridges can do a house swap?

godmum56 · 18/08/2022 19:13

ok anybody got any popcorn? I can swap for a juice box?

felulageller · 18/08/2022 19:17

Off with their heads!

Readinginthesun · 18/08/2022 19:17

Off topic but I thought it was interesting that BP announced that Lady Louise is going to St Andrews University next month .

SpiderinaWingMirror · 18/08/2022 19:19

Everyone knows they are rich. They have many houses. So does Sting and Macca.
Literally couldn't care less.

antelopevalley · 18/08/2022 19:19

ajandjjmum · 18/08/2022 19:11

There is no publicity from any authorised source (as far as I am aware), so no-one really knows!

I know there is no official press release. But there have been news stories for over a year about them getting a third house in Windsor. The news must have come from somewhere. If someone is making something up they would make up something juicier than getting a third house.

Term starts fairly soon anyway, so if the children do start school at Lambrook as reported, then Windsor will obviously be their main home.
And yes sorry Louis is just starting school this year.

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Lostinabba · 18/08/2022 19:19

CPL593H · 18/08/2022 18:27

Not another William and Kate bashing thread from the OP. If anyone started this number of threads criticising Harry and Meghan in similar veins there would be outrage and it would be justified.

Exactly.

Roussette · 18/08/2022 19:20

ajandjjmum · 18/08/2022 19:10

But no official statement - as the moment it's all supposition.

May well be true, but it's others gossiping, not confirmation from Kensington Palace.

So the fact the RF haven't put out a statement means it's not happening? Do they always put out statements on everything? I didn't know!

The children have left their schools, they start schools in Windsor in a couple of weeks.

The first 6 pages of Google have articles on it, have a look! Not just gossip sites I promise you. All the RF's favourite papers... Times, Sunday Times, Telegraph and so on.

I'm not gossiping by the way. Just reporting what is widely known, up to you if you don't believe it!

ajandjjmum · 18/08/2022 19:31

Roussette · 18/08/2022 19:20

So the fact the RF haven't put out a statement means it's not happening? Do they always put out statements on everything? I didn't know!

The children have left their schools, they start schools in Windsor in a couple of weeks.

The first 6 pages of Google have articles on it, have a look! Not just gossip sites I promise you. All the RF's favourite papers... Times, Sunday Times, Telegraph and so on.

I'm not gossiping by the way. Just reporting what is widely known, up to you if you don't believe it!

Don't be so defensive - I haven't said I don't believe it will happen, I have simply said that it has not been formally announced. There's obviously something going on, but none of us know exactly what. As you say, time will tell, as the new school term isn't far away. But I'd rather wait and see what happens than waste my energy on supposition and vile rumours.

Roussette · 18/08/2022 19:38

ajandjjmum · 18/08/2022 19:31

Don't be so defensive - I haven't said I don't believe it will happen, I have simply said that it has not been formally announced. There's obviously something going on, but none of us know exactly what. As you say, time will tell, as the new school term isn't far away. But I'd rather wait and see what happens than waste my energy on supposition and vile rumours.

I am totally perplexed by what you are posting.

Why on earth is this a vile rumour. I really do not like the way you are insinuating I am spreading 'vile' rumours.

I regret engaging with you if this is what you accuse people of.

I didn't know the Times, Sunday Times, Telegraph, Royal reporters, and the other probably 50 news sources were peddling 'vile' rumours.

Even the Queen's former Press Secretary has said they're moving to Windsor, he is peddling vile rumours too then. Hmm

I'll leave you to it.

antelopevalley · 18/08/2022 19:48

A very strange reaction. Why should the children moving school and the Cambridges getting a third house be a vile rumour?
Vile seems an extremely strong reaction.

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Serenster · 18/08/2022 20:32

The “vile rumour” is I take it the one that antelopevalley herself introduced to the thread - that the reason for the house move is because William and Kate are splitting up.

So you seem to be be being a bit disingenuous here antelopevalley, asking why the Cambridges getting a third house would be a vile rumour - you yourself said you had read speculation that that was the reason for the house.