Prince William and Kate Middleton may be dreaming of a grand new royal residence, but it seems King Charles isn’t quite convinced—especially when it comes to the hefty price tag.
Insiders reveal that the Prince and Princess of Wales have shown interest in moving to Fort Belvedere, a sprawling historic estate nestled deep within Windsor Great Park. This gothic revival mansion, famously linked to King Edward VIII’s 1936 abdication, offers seclusion, extensive grounds, and the added benefit of being close to Eton College, where Prince George is widely expected to enroll.
However, the idea hasn’t won universal approval within the royal circle.
King Charles reportedly sees the grand Fort Belvedere as an ‘unnecessary’ investment (Credit: Cover Images)
King Charles sees William and Kate’s home move as ‘unnecessary’
“It’ll take millions to renovate,” a Palace source told journalist Rob Shuter, as reported by GB News. “Charles sees it as an unnecessary extravagance.”
“Charles sees it as an unnecessary extravagance.”
The king has spent much of his reign streamlining royal finances and scaling back the monarchy. Therefore, he is reportedly reluctant to greenlight another major renovation project, especially one as high-cost as Fort Belvedere.
“This isn’t just real estate. It’s a statement,” a royal aide noted
Despite some resistance, royal insiders reveal that William and Kate believe they’ve outgrown Adelaide Cottage, the modest four-bedroom home they moved into in 2022.
“Fort Belvedere has everything they’re looking for — history, expansive grounds, and close proximity to Eton,” a source told the Mail on Sunday. “They feel the cottage is no longer sufficient and want a more substantial residence. Fort Belvedere is the perfect fit. It even has a swimming pool and a tennis court, which Charlotte absolutely loves.”
Insiders claim the Prince and Princess of Wales feel their family has outgrown the more modest Adelaide Cottage (Credit: Cover Images)
The Fort Belvedere estate spans 59 secluded acres and features an outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, rose garden, stables, paddocks, greenhouses, and staff cottages—offering a vastly different lifestyle compared to the modest Adelaide Cottage.
Adelaide Cottage was chosen for its simplicity, privacy, and close proximity to Queen Elizabeth II during her final months, making it an ideal retreat.
“There are plenty of other places they could have moved to,” royal expert Duncan Larcombe told OK!. “But Adelaide Cottage fits with their desire as parents to be a normal family.”
Royal author Katie Nicholl agreed, noting that “living in the middle of Windsor Home Park, where they’re not overlooked and can come and go in complete privacy, makes the downsize from Kensington Palace worth it on every level.”
Still, with three growing children and a future king in training, William and Kate may be seeking more than just privacy. Sources suggest that long-term planning for Prince George’s royal upbringing is a key factor in their decision to consider a larger estate.
However, ongoing uncertainty surrounding Prince Andrew’s controversial residence at nearby Royal Lodge — another royal property in need of maintenance — means that the prospect of funding another costly estate may be difficult to justify.
For now, King Charles reportedly remains unconvinced about the move.
