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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:
ajandjjmum · 23/08/2022 06:39

I know you're right - there are some horrible things said on MN. But she said 'I keep reading speculation that the only reason they are getting the third house is that William and Catherine are splitting up.' That was unfounded and nasty (I understand it was stated once on some blind gossip site), and if it had been said about any other couple, there would have been a pile-on.

School fees are extortionate!

Cloud9isnowclosed · 23/08/2022 06:46

Antelope repeated a rumour sourced from abitchy website as well as starting a thread about Catherine not wearing her wedding ring (when she was) (also a story covered by same website) so I do think it is reasonable to infer Antelope's line that she felt people may believe splitting up rumour because people didn't understand how many homes/how domestic life of royals operate is a stretch.

Roussette · 23/08/2022 06:47

But aj she only said she was reading speculation, she didn't say it was true! I have seen it all over social media. There is a lot of repeating stuff everywhere, without that, there'd be very few threads on MN about famous people at all !

ajandjjmum · 23/08/2022 07:00

Roussette · 23/08/2022 06:47

But aj she only said she was reading speculation, she didn't say it was true! I have seen it all over social media. There is a lot of repeating stuff everywhere, without that, there'd be very few threads on MN about famous people at all !

The fact that it was written was introducing the thought that they were splitting up, when I have seen it absolutely nowhere else. It was just a really nasty thing to say, with no source, and despite reading a lot of news, I have not seen mentioned anywhere else. The opportunity to have a false dig - but had it been said about others, there would have been the whole 'how awful are you for wishing a family breakup that affects the children' etc.

I just don't like the inconsistency of the response - but as you know, I like facts! Grin

Suzy14837 · 23/08/2022 07:03

thefizz · 18/08/2022 13:56

Is the KP "flat" being used for Ukrainian refugees from the war?

If not, will it be an hotel, or unoccupied? I suppose it is huge so could be used as a base for the kids when they grow up. Very handy.

The Cambridge offices and staff will continue working out of there.

Roussette · 23/08/2022 07:08

Suzy14837 · 23/08/2022 07:03

The Cambridge offices and staff will continue working out of there.

Indeed they will. Which means... if K or W are working too, they will be commuting there. I just wonder how that is going to work and by what means they will travel the 20 plus miles.

Suzy14837 · 23/08/2022 07:11

Aren't all these properties already owned by the royal family and in the grounds of existing royal residences? And they're certainly all listed / historic buildings. They've just been allowed to fall into disrepair because no one has been using them.
So you could look on the refurb as in investment, stripping out and modernising / restoring./ safeguarding the nation's built heritage.

Readinginthesun · 23/08/2022 07:20

toomuchlaundry · 22/08/2022 22:38

@antelopevalley you said there was speculation that they were splitting up. You were the one who brought that up

@antelopevalley you also started a thread stating that Catherine wasn’t wearing her wedding ring ( she was) . There was only one reason to start a thread like that - you thought/ hoped the Cambridges were splitting up so it’s not a huge leap to guess why you mentioned them splitting up in another thread . .

MyMumSaysALot · 23/08/2022 07:23

Readinginthesun · 18/08/2022 17:16

@antelopevalley if you are looking for a subject for your next Royal thread may I suggest Harry flying over to Mozambique for a 3 day visit staying ( of course) in a luxurious complex ?

And there it is.

@Readinginthesun This isn’t about Harry. This, for a change, is about his brother. And do you honestly think that when the Cambridges travel they don’t stay in luxurious accommodations?
Sheezus. I wondered how long it would take. Page 2 seems an accomplishment.

Readinginthesun · 23/08/2022 07:40

MyMumSaysALot · 23/08/2022 07:23

And there it is.

@Readinginthesun This isn’t about Harry. This, for a change, is about his brother. And do you honestly think that when the Cambridges travel they don’t stay in luxurious accommodations?
Sheezus. I wondered how long it would take. Page 2 seems an accomplishment.

If you read my comment properly you will see that I was make a “ helpful” suggestion to @antelopevalley about her next thread title !!

antelopevalley · 24/08/2022 00:12

No you are having a go at me. As usual.
I know you struggle with the idea that not everyone loves the Royal Family.
And I have no idea what site you are talking about. Go on Twitter. This kind of thing and far worse speculation is all over there.

OP posts:
JemimaPuddlegoose · 24/08/2022 00:29

Harry didn't stay in "a luxurious complex" (during his very brief work trip as President of African Parks, during which he hosted US and other officials), that's just tabloids putting their own spin on things.

All the press articles gave the name of the hotel he stayed in, if you actually bother to google the name of the hotel rather than believe everything tabloids say you'll see that far from being a "luxurious complex" it is in fact a 3*, tiny lodge owned and run as a small family business by an African family, originally from Pretoria and now living in Mozambique. The hotel is owned and managed by a husband and wife and the hotel's website says their kids help out.

During their Caribbean tour William and Kate stayed in a huge luxury resort that is part of a multi-national chain owned by a North American corporation. Will and Kate need to take a lesson from Harry as supporting local-owned small businesses is exactly what royals should be doing on goodwill trips.

Can you imagine William and Kate deigning to stay in a 3 star family-run hotel??

antelopevalley · 24/08/2022 01:00

A 3-star family-run lodge?
That is the type of accommodation I would book for a holiday.

OP posts:
toomuchlaundry · 24/08/2022 01:18

This reply has been deleted

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JemimaPuddlegoose · 24/08/2022 02:15

Everything William and Kate do makes them come across as entitled and out of touch, and very fake and manipulative.

They're acquiring a fourth house (after justifying the criticism they faced for spending squillions on Anmer - doing stupid profligate shit like spending £60k having the tennis court moved 36 ft to give a slightly nicer view, or having a brand new kitchen ripped out twice because Kate couldn't decide on a colour - on the grounds Anmer would be their home at least until the children were grown), and actually trying to frame this as part of the laughably fake "look what an ordinary normal down to earth family we are" narrative their PR constantly push. How many articles has KP's publicity department run about the fact the new house is too small for a live-in nanny or any staff, without mentioning the nanny and rest of the household staff will be a stone's throw away in the servant quarters?

My God, the audacity to push a narrative about how humble and ordinary you are for living in a four-bedroom house without even room for a nanny, when you own three other mansions and your supposedly humble house has a whole separate building just for staff.

Roussette · 24/08/2022 06:48

@JemimaPuddlegoose

Yes, and this is what absolutely gets on my tits. Aren't they marvellous downsizing! Look at W&K moving into their 'tiny cottage'! It was a 'sprawling mansion' when it was considered for H&M. And yes, there are headlines out there to prove that.

It is a PR spin on the fact they have acquired yet another home, they are ditching KP where £5.6million was spent to make it just how they wanted. Ditto Amner Hall which will be used as and when. They will be helicoptering even more than before, because if W does do work that isn't just a phone call, he will have to get to KP and there is no way he'll sit in a traffic jam!

If this is what they want for the kids (and I don't blame them for that) he should be based at KP working. Surely one parent there for the kids is enough?

But no, he's done this massive PR spin about wanting to be there for the kids, unlike his father. What family can have both parents there doing school runs which is what he says he wants to do. When mine were little, my DH was out the door before the kids were awake and after travelling hundreds of miles a day, back when they were asleep. It was really hard.

Why should this family have such luxury of doing it exactly how they want. What about doing some work. We can see through all this spin. K&W will keep talking about being there for the kids until the youngest is gone 18 !

Serenster · 24/08/2022 07:00

The press reports I read said Harry stayed at the Vilankulos Beach Lodge, a 4 star resort.

Serenster · 24/08/2022 07:03

Sorry, Roussette, you are seriously saying that we get to demand that a young family live apart just to keep you happy? Rather than relocate to a property that their grandmother already owns, to be closer to her, their other grandparents and family and their school? Wow.

Roussette · 24/08/2022 07:08

It's a family run Beach Lodge, hardly up there with the sort of place W&K stay is it? Especially on their 'royal tour'. I could stay at this place for £130 a night. It looks great!

Readinginthesun · 24/08/2022 07:08

Serenster · 24/08/2022 07:03

Sorry, Roussette, you are seriously saying that we get to demand that a young family live apart just to keep you happy? Rather than relocate to a property that their grandmother already owns, to be closer to her, their other grandparents and family and their school? Wow.

it’s W and C - of course they are in the wrong !!
FWIW I think they are doing a fine job putting their DC first in strange circumstances.

Roussette · 24/08/2022 07:10

Serenster · 24/08/2022 07:03

Sorry, Roussette, you are seriously saying that we get to demand that a young family live apart just to keep you happy? Rather than relocate to a property that their grandmother already owns, to be closer to her, their other grandparents and family and their school? Wow.

Where did I say 'W&K must live apart to keep me happy'. Don't make things up! Wow to you too. Nice spin. Doesn't work.

What is wrong with William working at KP? 21 miles away? Who has the luxury of both parents at home both doing school runs?

Serenster · 24/08/2022 07:12

Just to remind you, William has watched his mother and now wife be constantly harassed by paparazzi photographers. He has seen his wife, his brother and his own phone be hacked into by journalists. He has seen his brother and two of his aunts fall prey to press stings. His wife has had her privacy invaded by being photographed topless while on holiday from half a mile away. He and his wife have been papped driving their children to school, and photos and videos are constantly published of them walking and playing in the park and boarding and getting out of helicopters as they travel. They get stalked by a photographer in Norfolk.

The posters who constantly applaud Harry and Meghan for choosing to escape the press madness are now railing against the Cambridge family for choosing to relocate to a property the Queen already owns in large part to give their children protection from growing up in a goldfish bowl. Of course you are.

Roussette · 24/08/2022 07:17

I am saying one parent could work... more than they do now. 2 phone calls a week is not work.

There are very very few pap shots of the kids. You make out like it's all the time. It isn't. They manage the press very well. Where are the constant photos of the kids. I'm online every day. I haven't seen them. I've seen a couple of helicopter shots to highlight how often they take helicopers. Not the kids.

photos and videos are constantly published of them walking and playing in the park
Where?

I've seen the bike one by the way. I've seen two helicopter ones. That's it

Serenster · 24/08/2022 07:35

Roussette there are a lot of photos and videos taken of them that get posted on twitter and instagram - the UK press generally don’t run them, but foreign magazines and websites do.

You also said:

If this is what they want for the kids (and I don't blame them for that) he should be based at KP working. Surely one parent there for the kids is enough?

That certainly read to me like you thought William should be based at KP while Kate is at the new house with the kids. If you mean why can’t William (and Kate I presume, why on earth should we expect the woman to be to only hands on parent?) commute to work at KP, how do you know they won’t? It’s where their offices, materials and staff will be, obviously.

Roussette · 24/08/2022 07:42

That certainly read to me like you thought William should be based at KP

Based for work ! I know it's alien to imagine William doing more than a few phone calls a week! I didn't say he should move out, it's only 21 miles away! You have chosen to put that slant on my post.

No, I don't expect the woman to be the only hands on parent. Another slant put on it by you. I was using W as an example, either of them then.

I do expect them to do more than they do, yes. Whether that's W or K, who knows. To have both parents at home 'for the children' is a bit much. They have a massive 20 room residence and offices at KP, all their staff are there, I imagine one of them should be working whilst the other does the school run. What's so demanding or awful about that...?

the UK press generally don’t run them, but foreign magazines and websites do

That's why we don't see them over here then. And I haven't seen anything more than I said.