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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

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 18/08/2022 20:36

Par for the course

derxa · 18/08/2022 20:43

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.

It is indeed horrible

Ohnonevermind · 18/08/2022 22:09

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antelopevalley · 18/08/2022 22:39

antelopevalley · 18/08/2022 14:06

I keep reading speculation that the only reason they are getting the third house is that William and Catherine are splitting up.
I think that speculation is because ordinary people are trying to find a reason why they need a third house. But they forget this is the norm in the top tier of the Royal Family. The Queen has seven Royal residences.
So between five adults and three children, they have 14 palaces/mansions etc.

This is what I said. Please do not misquote me as you keep doing.

OP posts:
Capri3 · 18/08/2022 22:55

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Puzzledandpissedoff · 18/08/2022 23:19

I wonder if after a year or two after getting this third house they will try for a fourth?

Just to mention they already have four, if you include the new Windsor one ... Tam Na Ghar on the Balmoral estate was left to William by the Queen Mum back in 2002

Serenster · 18/08/2022 23:28

Puzzledandpissedoff · 18/08/2022 23:19

I wonder if after a year or two after getting this third house they will try for a fourth?

Just to mention they already have four, if you include the new Windsor one ... Tam Na Ghar on the Balmoral estate was left to William by the Queen Mum back in 2002

Not true, apparently (about Tam Na Ghar)

Three Houses or Four
Ohnonevermind · 18/08/2022 23:34

We’ve recently moved to the other side of our small town, to a house on dh old farmland. There were rumours that DH and I had split and he was moving ‘home’ 🤣 in his small town apparently and I was staying in our old house (as we hadn’t put the old one on the market before buying the new one)

id love lots of houses all around the world. It’s hard to decide which European country I’d pick for my city pad and sea few villa

Puzzledandpissedoff · 18/08/2022 23:45

Not true, apparently (about Tam Na Ghar)

Blast - apologies for that then; I really should have known better than to trust a media report Blush

antelopevalley · 18/08/2022 23:49

@Ohnonevermind It is unethical when climate change is happening and so many people are struggling to get a home. If you ever become rich just hire villas and stay in posh hotels.

OP posts:
Serenster · 19/08/2022 08:40

It’s like whiplash here today - on this thread we are being told what the rich should and shouldn’t do in relation to housing, and on another thread are being told that it’s up to the rich people, we don’t have a say in their decisions…

ajandjjmum · 19/08/2022 08:59

Roussette · 18/08/2022 19:38

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.

The 'vile rumour' I referred to was 'I keep reading speculation that the only reason they are getting the third house is that William and Catherine are splitting up.' Posted by @antelopevalley upthread. Don't be so silly - 'regret engaging' - it's a forum, we all engage and choose whether to post or not. You don't need to make announcements!

I should have been clearer about the vile rumour I was referring to, rather than leaving you to think it was just the gossip that I thought was vile.

ajandjjmum · 19/08/2022 09:03

'id love lots of houses all around the world. It’s hard to decide which European country I’d pick for my city pad and sea few villa' @Ohnonevermind

Me too! I'd love an apartment in London overlooking the Thames too, with a massive balcony. We can all dream! Grin

Roussette · 19/08/2022 10:33

To be frank aj I had no idea what you meant about the vile rumour, as I hadn't posted about any splitting up, and hadn't even registered that was said on here, so I was taken aback.

Hey ho.. back to the coffee and doughnut I was eating (Friday is my day to indulge!)
Enjoy your day

ajandjjmum · 19/08/2022 12:03

As I said, that was my mistake not being clear what I was referring to. I find it really indefensible, particularly as when similar comments have been (nastily) made about H & M, there's been a pile-on. Regarding W & K it was essentially ignored.

There we go! You've got me craving doughnuts now! Grin

LittleBearPad · 19/08/2022 18:00

Don’t worry @ajandjjmum you aren’t the only person to get told off for not posting in the approved style

antelopevalley · 19/08/2022 21:22

ajandjjmum · 19/08/2022 08:59

The 'vile rumour' I referred to was 'I keep reading speculation that the only reason they are getting the third house is that William and Catherine are splitting up.' Posted by @antelopevalley upthread. Don't be so silly - 'regret engaging' - it's a forum, we all engage and choose whether to post or not. You don't need to make announcements!

I should have been clearer about the vile rumour I was referring to, rather than leaving you to think it was just the gossip that I thought was vile.

And again you partially quote. In my full comment it is clear I am saying that people are speculating because they do not understand it is normal for Royal Family members to have multiple houses.
Amongst normal families, this would mean a separation. But the Royal Family are not normal.

You can make anyone appear to say what you want if you very selectively quote as you do to me.

OP posts:
OnlyEverAutumn · 19/08/2022 21:27

@Wheelyweddingwipedout ”collaborator”?? Jesus Christ 😂

NC12345665 · 19/08/2022 21:36

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SmugglersHaunt · 19/08/2022 21:45

What has the environment got to so with the number of houses they have?

Serenster · 20/08/2022 09:03

I am saying that people are speculating because they do not understand it is normal for Royal Family members to have multiple houses.
Amongst normal families, this would mean a separation. But the Royal Family are not normal.

Most people in the UK with even a passing knowledge of the Royal Family will have heard of various places the Queen spends time - Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Sandringham and Balmoral for example. Clarence House and Kensington Palace were also well known due to their association with the Queen Mother and Princess Diana, respectively. People also know the family is very wealthy with access to lots of properties. So I don’t think many will find this much of a surprise, you know.

I also think that most people will understand moving to be closer to an elderly relative, moving to have better school options, or moving to be closer to immediate family - these are fairly normal things to do.

If you wanted to show us where people are speculating that they can’t understand the need for the new house unless the Cambridges are separating it might help demonstrate you weren’t just looking to lob in some unpleasant rumours.

Maireas · 20/08/2022 09:06

antelopevalley · 18/08/2022 13:14

I am not a member of Republic.

You should be!

CPL593H · 20/08/2022 09:38

@antelopevalley I don't think you can blame people for questioning your motivation in posting that when only a few days ago you were querying why Kate wasn't wearing her wedding ring (even though she was)

CathyorClaire · 20/08/2022 20:58

Goodness.

This is a testy thread.

FWIW I think W&K are taking the taxpayer for mugs.

The KP apartment won't go to 'another occupant' in the era of a slimmed down monarchy but we've ponced it up to their lavish specs for them to spend maybe a few weeks a year not working in it.

Workshy Wills has apparently been eyeing up Royal Lodge but I don't rate his chances when the disgraced PA has it on an extremely favourable and probably watertight lease.

Adelaide is a sop to the 'slimmed down monarchy' mantra. I don't think it means they're splitting up (unlikely in the extreme) but equally I don't believe for a minute that either of them will be regularly washing windows, mopping floors, cooking tea or even looking after fractious kids for hours on end.

LittleBearPad · 20/08/2022 21:13

Why would they? I think you think the general public are stupid.

They won’t have live in staff. That doesn’t means they won’t have a nanny, housekeeper, cleaners etc.

I don’t wash windows or mop floors. Lots of people pay other people to do this.

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