Over the last week, Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom, Grade II-listed Georgian mansion, became the most talked-about home on the internet. Not least, because it has some new tenants: The Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Windsor Park property, which is part of the Crown Estate (and remains under the ownership of King Charles III), will reportedly serve as the family's 'forever home,' meaning they will continue living there when William ascends to the throne. There's no doubt, therefore, that the home is one of the most special properties in Great Britain (and one of the finest royal residences worldwide). So what sets it aside? Let's take a look.
Firstly, and perhaps unsurprisingly, Forest Lodge has a rich history, dating back to the Georgian era. The home, originally known as Holly Grove, was constructed between 1772 and 1782 under the architect Thomas Sandby.
This was his principal surviving architectural work, with the familiar nine-bay front and flanking wings that still define it today.
While Prince William, Princess Catherine, and their children have resided in the nearby Adelaide Cottage since 2022, reports say they will relocate to Forest Lodge by the end of 2025.
Sources say it’s a ‘fresh start’ and is intended to provide more space and privacy for Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, who attend a school nearby. The couple is said to be personally funding the renovations and paying rent in their new home, avoiding the use of public funds.
Upgrades include replacement windows, new flooring, and adaptation or enhancements to at least one fireplace around the house. These changes are said to be light upgrades designed to modernize their home for living, while maintaining historic charm, and ensuring comfort, without altering its architectural heritage.
Alongside the aforementioned fireplaces, the home features a trove of period features, including Flemish-bond brickwork, Venetian windows, and a dramatic half-barrel vaulted ceiling in the entrance hall. Notable spaces include a principal drawing room connected to a central hall, and a ballroom that will serve as a spectacular place to entertain.
Outside, the amenities are just as impressive. There's a tennis court (which is said to be favored by Catherine and Charlotte, who enjoy the sport), alongside a pond, a small lake, and a paddock. Historical records also mention a garden designed by landscape artist Humphry Repton, though its current presence is unconfirmed.
We await glimpses of Prince William and Princess Catherine's decorating choices as they make Forest Lodge their home. However, in the meantime, you can read up on their official residence, Kensington Palace, in this book below.
In this new illustrated account, Tracy Borman tells the fascinating story of Kensington from private residence to modern-day royal palace, describing not only the development of the building and its magnificent gardens, but also the dramas and intrigues of court life.
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