(NewsNation) — The Prince and Princess of Wales’ move to Forest Lodge, an estate in Windsor, has led to the displacement of two families in the area, according to reports.
According to People magazine, earlier this summer, the families were asked to leave their cottages located near William and Kate’s new home.
“They were told to move out. I guess they were given somewhere else, but they were told they had to move,” a source told the Daily Mail. “They were not expecting it. Those houses are very close to the lodge, so they’re not going to want any Tom, Dick or Harry living in those houses, if there are going to be royals there.”
According to the Daily Mail, the families weren’t evicted but moved to new homes in the 4,800-acre Great Park estate.
Kate and William leaving behind ‘unhappy memories’
Kate and William are planning to move to Forest Lodge — along with children George, Charlotte and Louis — later this year, a palace spokesperson told CNN. The family will leave their Adelaide Cottage home, which they moved into three years ago.
“Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter; an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind,” a source told The Sun.
In March 2024, Kate revealed she was diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy, adding that she and William were doing their best to process the news for their family.
Forest Lodge: Kate and William’s new home
The new home boasts eight bedrooms, a ballroom and a tennis court, according to Town & Country, and is reportedly larger than Adelaid Cottage.
The home was built in the 1770s and was bought by the Crown Estate in 1829. In 2001, the property underwent a $2 million renovation.
The royal couple will reportedly not use U.K. taxpayers’ funds for their move and will not have live-in staff, The Sun reported.
The couple plan to stay at Forest Lodge when William becomes king.
“This is a move for the long-term. They see it as their forever home,” according to The Sun source.