LONDON – Britain\u2019s future king Prince William and his family are moving to a new home on the royal Windsor estate, prompting uncertainty about the future of Buckingham Palace. <\/p>\n
They will reportedly move into Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom mansion dating to the late 18th century, larger than their current four-bedroom home on the estate, west of London.<\/p>\n
Prince William and his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, are said to regard the property as their \u201cforever home\u201d, according to The Sun newspaper which broke the story, citing a source close to the couple.<\/p>\n
A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed to AFP \u201cthe Wales family will move house later this year\u201d, without giving further details.<\/p>\n
The Sun added that the couple were paying for the renovations, the move and the rent themselves, as insiders told the daily they were hoping for a \u201cfresh start\u201d following Kate\u2019s 2024 cancer diagnosis and treatment.<\/p>\n
Prince William and Princess Catherine\u2019s three children George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, seven, all attend a nearby school.<\/p>\n
But the family putting down permanent roots at Windsor has cast uncertainty over Buckingham Palace\u2019s future as the official London residence of the monarch.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be a disaster if Buckingham Palace were sidelined,\u201d royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told AFP.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is an iconic building, comparable only to the White House and known worldwide,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Sovereigns have lived at Buckingham Palace since 1837.<\/p>\n
Located in the heart of London, not far from Parliament and Number 10 Downing Street, it is also the venue for numerous royal events from summer garden parties to state banquets.<\/p>\n
During the summer months, parts of the 755-room palace are open to the public.<\/p>\n
But King Charles III, 76, does not live there currently and will not do so for the foreseeable future amid an ongoing \u00a3369 million (S$638.36 million) renovation.<\/p>\n
The extensive work, which also saw the late Queen Elizabeth II relocating to Windsor Castle before her death in 2022, is not due to be completed until 2027.<\/p>\n