Speculation surrounding a major move by Kate Middleton and Prince William has sparked headlines across the globe, but a royal expert is now stepping in to shut the rumors down.
According to a recent report by the Mail on Sunday, the Prince and Princess of Wales were allegedly considering leaving their current home, the modest yet charming Adelaide Cottage, for the far grander Fort Belvedere, a sprawling gothic style mansion tucked away in Windsor Great Park.
The report suggested that the couple, along with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, were planning to trade in their understated family life for a more regal and historic setting. But not everyone is convinced.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond has publicly dismissed the reports, calling the story exactly what many suspected, just a rumor. Speaking to The Mirror, Bond clarified that there is no firm evidence to support the claim.
Well, the first thing that has to be said is that this is just a rumour, she said firmly. Her statement quickly cast doubt on the idea that a move to a grand estate is even on the table for the royal couple.
Bond went on to explain why such a drastic relocation would seem out of character for William and Kate, who have prioritized raising their children in as normal an environment as possible given their royal titles.
William and Catherine have been so set on giving their children a more normal upbringing than royal youngsters before them, she noted. It is hard to imagine them wanting to move to what is in effect a castle, albeit a relatively small one.
Indeed, the couple’s choice to live in Adelaide Cottage, a four bedroom home with no live in staff quarters, reflects their commitment to simplicity and privacy. Their children attend the nearby Lambrook School and enjoy a country lifestyle far from the goldfish bowl of central London.
Still, Bond acknowledged that nothing is off the table entirely. If the Wales family does move in the future, she says the decision will come down to one factor above all, the wellbeing of the children.
If they were to ever consider moving, it would be for one reason only, she explained. Whatever they decide, William and Catherine will have their children’s happiness at heart.
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She emphasized that the royal parents remain laser focused on maintaining a home environment that feels grounded and nurturing, despite their extraordinary roles in public life.
For them, preserving a relaxed and cosy family life as close to some sort of normality as possible given their status is a top priority, Bond added.
That sentiment has earned the couple widespread praise over the years. Many view the Wales family as modern royals who value emotional intelligence and hands on parenting more than royal tradition or grandeur.
William and Kate’s commitment to shielding George, Charlotte, and Louis from excessive royal pressure is especially evident in how limited their public appearances have been. All three children remain mostly out of the spotlight and are rarely photographed except for major royal events.
While Fort Belvedere is rich in history, famously known as the home where King Edward VIII signed his abdication papers, it also comes with an aura of isolation and formality that may not fit the family’s current values.
As royal watchers continue to speculate, one thing is clear. Kate Middleton and Prince William are not in a rush to trade their peaceful cottage life for palatial walls and heavy curtains.
For now, Adelaide Cottage remains their perfect family retreat. Unless something dramatically changes, that is where the next generation of royals will continue to grow, far from castles and closer to childhood.
