News:Prince William and Princess Kate’s home with ‘bold contemporary elements’ is their favourite place to be

Prince William And Kate

Prince William met Kate Middleton when they were both students at the University of St Andrews and the pair began dating in 2003. The couple announced their engagement in November 2010 and were married at Westminster Abbey in April 2011. William and Kate are parents to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. They are senior members of the royal family and carry out engagements for their patronages.

There’s a Grade II listed country house on Shrubs Hill in Windsor Great Park called Fort Belvedere. The Crown Estate property has been home to many royals over the years, including King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, but now it lies empty.

At the time of Prince William’s relocation with his wife Princess Kate and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis rumours swirled that this royal abode could be on the cards, but then Adelaide Cottage became the chosen residence.

Although the Wales family haven’t spoken out about their decision, the fact they chose the much humbler home ties into the fact that they want to try and give their kids a more ‘normal’ upbringing.

The Windsor estate stretches over 15,800 acres and the fort and the cottage are a few miles apart. As well as the property being smaller, Adelaide Cottage is also in closer proximity to Windsor Castle. When the family moved, Queen Elizabeth II was still alive, so spending more time with her there would have also been on the agenda.

Although William and Kate do not have live-in staff at their four-bed property, they do still have housekeepers etc that come and go. But the rules around them may surprise you! It is believed that the royals don’t even want their staff in uniform, instead encouraging them to dress informally around the kids.

According to Royal writer, Valentine Low, author of Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown, an employee told him that casualwear is requested and formalwear frowned upon, as reported by The Sun.

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.