When Kate Middleton and Prince William moved to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor back in 2022, many believed it was to be near Lambrook School – but the real reason was far more emotional.
When Kate Middleton and Prince William chose to move from London to Windsor in 2022, many Royal enthusiasts assumed it was mostly due to their children. The couple wanted to be closer to Lambrook School, the private school attended by Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
But relocating their family to the four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage wasn’t solely about being close to the school, as one Royal insider recently shared that the late Queen Elizabeth also had a significant influence on their decision.
Robert Jobson, a Royal expert, unveiled in his new biography, ‘Catherine, Princess of Wales’, that William, aged 42, wished to relocate to be near his grandmother following the devastating death of her husband, Prince Philip, in April 2021. Citing an aide, Jobson states that William “knew his time with his grandmother was precious and he is delighted they, as a couple, made that decision.”
Jobson further comments, “Catherine understood that for William, as a future king, it was important for him to be geographically closer to the late Queen in her final months, when he was required to support both her and his father. It made a real difference. They were in regular contact, seeing each other in person and speaking on the phone several times a week, bringing them even closer.”
Following the heartbreaking loss of Prince Philip, which brought an end to the Queen’s 73-year marriage, Her Majesty understandably found it difficult to cope. However, she reportedly found solace in visits and phone calls from her cherished grandson, Prince William, according to PEOPLE.
After relocating to Adelaide Cottage, Prince William and his family were conveniently located just a brisk 30-minute walk or a quick ten-minute drive from the Queen’s residence at Windsor Castle. Moreover, the move also brought them closer to Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, who reside only a 45-minute drive away in Bucklebury, fostering a stronger connection with the entire family.
The cottage proved to be an ideal choice for the Wales family as it underwent significant renovations in 2015, meaning no additional security measures or upgrades were needed before they could settle in. The cottage, originally built in 1831 for Queen Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, wife of William IV, has housed several notable residents over the years, including Queen Victoria and Group Captain Peter Townsend, Princess Margaret’s former lover.
Unlike other Royal abodes, no staff members reside on-site at Adelaide Cottage. Instead, a small number of staff, such as nanny Maria Borrallo, who has been employed by William and Kate since Prince George was a baby, live in separate accommodation nearby and commute daily.