William and Kate Are Ditching Palace Life for a Simple Family Home in Windsor

Prince William and Kate Middleton are preparing to move into Forest Lodge, a Georgian home tucked away in Windsor Great Park, and the reason behind the move shows how much the couple value keeping life simple for their family.

Royal expert Ingrid Seward told Hello! Magazine that the Prince and Princess of Wales prefer to live without staff constantly in the house. Instead, they like their home life to feel private and normal, especially for their three children.

“William and Kate have never wanted live-in staff; I think that’s the modern way,” Seward explained. “Since William was a little boy, he’s seen all the staff at the late Queen’s homes, and he never wanted that. It’s not something Kate grew up with either.”

The couple have decided to fund both the move and any repairs themselves, with Kensington Palace confirming no taxpayer money will be used.

At Kensington Palace, William and Kate did have a housekeeper and a nanny, but Seward pointed out that things will be different at Windsor. “They had a housekeeper and a nanny at Kensington Palace, but at Windsor, they have all these little cottages around the big house, which is nicer for the staff, too,” she said.

This reflects their long-standing wish to keep family life down-to-earth despite the demands of royal duty. William, in particular, has been shaped by what he saw growing up. Having witnessed life at the Queen’s homes surrounded by staff, he was determined not to repeat that for his own family.

Kate’s upbringing also plays a role. She grew up without the presence of live-in staff, and together she and William have chosen to raise George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that feels as close to ordinary as possible, even if their surroundings are far from it.

An insider speaking to The Sun backed this up, revealing just how relaxed the Waleses’ home life is. “The kids run around the office, and he does not want it to be stuffy. If we have important meetings or are going to Buckingham Palace, then, of course, we [dress up],” the source said.

For the family, Forest Lodge seems like the perfect place to balance royal obligations with a sense of normalcy. The house offers the chance for the children to grow up with space and privacy while still being close to the heart of the royal estate.

With the move, William and Kate are continuing to set the tone for a modern approach to royal life, one that blends tradition with their desire for independence and a family life that feels authentic. It’s a step that, according to royal watchers, reflects who they are as a couple and the kind of parents they want to be.