Now that two years have passed since Prince William and Kate Middleton left Kensington Palace behind in favor of moving to the country, it sounds like they still have no regrets. In fact, though some may see the move to Adelaide Cottage as a downgrade, according to royal experts, their new home suits them far better than the palace ever could — and it’s making it possible for the couple to offer George, Charlotte, and Louis a more “normal” childhood.
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Adelaide Cottage is a far cry from the family’s former palace digs.
Then again, it’s hard for a four-bedroom country home to compete with an actual palace, but at this stage of Will and Kate’s lives — and their children’s lives — it’s the perfect fit. As royal commentator Katie Nicholl told The Mirror, the change has been “worth it.”
“They are very, very happy there. Being able to live 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,” she said.
The move was said to be a ‘surprising’ one when they decided to leave London in 2022.
“There are plenty of other places they could have moved to, but Adelaide Cottage fits with their desire as parents to be a normal family, where there aren’t servants and they don’t have 30 rooms,” royal expert Duncan Larcombe said. “William would much rather have his kids around him, in the rooms next door to where he’s sleeping.”
Sounds like a much more traditional family life, which is what Will and Kate have always seemed to be after.
It also turned out to be a much better place for Kate as she went through cancer treatment.
There’s a higher level of privacy at Adelaide Cottage, which allowed Kate to rest and recover without being stuck inside a palace to avoid being seen — and the location is close to the kids’ school and the Middleton family’s home, so her loved ones are always nearby.
“Kate’s been able to go out for walks and enjoy the fresh air, rather than be cooped up in some draughty old palace in London. She’s happy there, with her family around her,” Duncan added.
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The proximity to Kate’s parents also allows them to be active grandparents.
“The kids spend a lot of time with their grandparents, and when William and Kate are both working, the Middletons can step in,” Duncan said. “That’s a huge advantage for any young family.”
Oh, yeah. Who’s going to turn down a little free babysitting from the grandparents?!
Ultimately, it seems Will and Kate truly did make the right choice.
After all, someday in the not too distant future, they’ll become king and queen and have less say about where they can live — and the amount of privacy they have may end up shrinking along with it. Why not give their children an idyllic countryside childhood while they still can?