There is often no expense spared when it comes to grand royal residences, with sweeping staircases, beautiful balconies and gilded details galore and while the Prince and Princess of Wales’ family home in Windsor may be slightly more low key than a decadent palace, it still has impeccably fine design choices.
The property, called Forest Lodge, is a Grade-II listed building and was constructed in the 1770s. It has a striking red-brick exterior with two distinct wings and the way it has been made is with incredible class. Firstly, the way the bricks are laid is with a Flemish bond (as opposed to an English bond) where lengthways bricks and cut side on bricks are alternated.
According to the Institute of Classic Architecture and Art: “Flemish bond is a decorative bond, one that lends visual quality to a wall surface.” Then, there’s the roof featuring the original slate in places, according to the official listing on Historic England. It states: “Original slate roof behind parapet over part; later hipped tile roof over remainder.” Slate, as opposed to tile, is more expensive but this premium option provides a stunning aesthetic for the historic property.
© Alamy Stock PhotoPrevious renovations
Ahead of the family moving in, the house needed updating inside and out. Before that, in 2001, Forest Lodge underwent a glow-up to the tune of £1.5 million ($2 million). The changes retained period details, including the original stonework, elaborate plaster cornices and ceiling decoration, marble fireplaces, Venetian windows, and a half-barrel vaulted hallway ceiling.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesMoving into this home was a serious upgrade from their humble four-bed cottage nearby. The Crown Estate has revealed that the royal couple are playing “market rent” for the eight-bed mansion, unlike William’s disgraced uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was, for his Windsor home. The market rent was also established through thorough processes to avoid any controversy. “The lease for the Property was concluded on a 20-year Common Law Tenancy at an open market rent subject to standard Landlord & Tenant repairing obligations. The rent was assessed by Savills and Hamptons acting on behalf of the Crown Estate. Knight Frank acted for TRH’s The Prince and Princess of Wales,” the statement from Crown Estate read.
As the length of the lease stands at 20 years, this shows that William and his family intend to be there for the long run. The official report reads: “A 20-year non-assignable lease with The Crown Estate for Forest Lodge, commencing 5 July 2025.”
© Matt PorteousDanielle Stacey, HELLO!’s Online Royal Correspondent, points out: “The Prince and Princess of Wales clearly love living in Windsor, the children are settled at Lambrook School nearby, and they will still be close to Windsor Castle for royal functions and engagements.”
Read the full article here
