Why leaving Adelaide Cottage marks the end of a cherished royal chapter
Prince William and Catherine are reportedly feeling a hint of sadness as they prepare to leave the snug charm of Adelaide Cottage for their new long-term residence, Forest Lodge. The move, which will take them deeper into Windsor Great Park, symbolises a new era for the family — but it also means saying goodbye to a home filled with memories.
Adelaide Cottage, built in 1831 for Queen Adelaide, the wife of King William IV, carries nearly two centuries of royal heritage. It has hosted many notable figures, including Queen Victoria, who often enjoyed breakfast or tea there. Her beloved dog, Dash, is even buried in the garden.
The cottage has also been home to another royal connection: in 1945, Peter Townsend, known for his relationship with Princess Margaret, moved in with his family. In his memoir Time and Chance, he famously described its frigid winters, calling it an “ice box” with only two radiators and a drawing room so cold it required a coat and scarf.
For William and Catherine, who moved there in 2022 with their children, Adelaide Cottage became a haven of privacy and simplicity after years at Kensington Palace. Its closeness to Lambrook School made family life more convenient, while its peaceful setting offered a respite from royal formality.
The cottage underwent tasteful updates in 2015, including gilded dolphins, rope motifs on the master bedroom ceiling, and a Graeco-Egyptian marble fireplace — yet much of its original architecture and garden design remain unchanged.
Now, as the family prepares to settle into Forest Lodge — a grand Georgian mansion that will likely serve as their residence for decades, even after William becomes king — they leave behind a home that perfectly captured their wish for a quieter, more grounded life.
