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Kate Middleton and Prince William have lived at Kensington Palace in London since they first married in 2011. However, in September 2022 the Wales family made the decision to relocate from their apartment at KP to a much more modest home in Windsor called Adelaide Cottage. At the time, the reasons for the move were not fully revealed. Now, through new biographies and insider accounts, we are learning the genuine motivations behind Kate and William's transition away from London life.
One of the primary factors in the move was to place the Wales children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis - in a new school. In the fall of 2022, all three children started attending Lambrook School, a prestigious private day and boarding school located near Windsor. This provided the impetus for the family to relocate to a home closer to the school. Adelaide Cottage fit the bill perfectly, being just a short drive away.
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However, the school was not the only consideration. Author Robert Jobson elaborates in his new biography of Catherine, Princess of Wales that William was also mindful of spending precious time with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, in her later years. As the future King, William wanted to be nearby to support both the Queen and his father Prince Charles. Jobson writes that an insider source said William was pleased with the decision to move, as it allowed for more frequent contact during this important period.
Kate also understood William's desire to be close to his grandmother. Though technically living in London, the commute from Kensington Palace to Windsor Castle was over an hour each way. The short 30-minute walk or 10-minute drive from Adelaide Cottage made regular visits much more feasible. It strengthened the bond between William and his beloved grandmother in her final months.
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After the death of Prince Philip in 2021, the Queen struggled with loneliness and the loss of her husband of 73 years. William's phone calls and visits—made easier by the shorter travel time—helped provide comfort during this difficult time. Being nearby geographically allowed their relationship to deepen even further before the Queen's passing in September 2022.
In addition to being closer to the Queen at Windsor Castle, the move also positioned the family nearer to Kate's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, who reside in the village of Bucklebury. Their home is about a 45-minute drive from Adelaide Cottage. Maintaining a close relationship with the Middletons was clearly important to Kate as she raised her young family.
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Adelaide Cottage itself underwent renovations back in 2015, meaning it required no additional work to accommodate the Wales family's needs.With seven gated entrances and existing security infrastructure, it provided them with the privacy and normalcy they desired. Though a much smaller space than Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace, the four bedrooms suited the family of five well.
Their longtime nanny Maria Borallo continued caring for the children as she had for years. However, she and other staff members like the housekeeper would live in separate quarters off the property—an important distinction from living all together at Kensington Palace. This allowed the family the freedom to live privately while still retaining trusted childcare support as needed.
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Additionally, the countryside setting of Windsor offered the children space to play freely outdoors—something Queen Elizabeth herself favored. As Majesty magazine's Joel Little noted, Her Majesty would have hoped for William, Kate and their families to be able to carry on "with grace and the classic stiff upper lip" after her passing. The more secluded, rural environment supports this ideal she held for her heirs.
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In conclusion, while moving to Adelaide Cottage placed Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in a new school, the relocation was prompted by much deeper motivations for William and Kate. Strengthening bonds with the Queen in her later years and providing their young family more normalcy and privacy were clearly top priorities. The choice reflects their commitment to upholding royal duties while also prioritizing meaningful family relationships—an ideal that Queen Elizabeth would surely have encouraged and admired.
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