Former BBC Royal Correspondent Peter Hunt has highlighted the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s move to Adelaide’s Cottage in Windsor Home Park as their fourth home. Mr Hunt said the relocation was a “reminder” that members of the royal family are not facing the cost-of-living crisis “in the same way that the rest of us are”.
The royal commentator said: “Cambridge’s fourth house is a reminder that the royal family is not suffering from the looming high-living crisis and recession in the same way as the rest of us.
“When taxpayers’ money was spent renovating their Kensington Palace apartment, Prince William, who is campaigning for the homeless, insisted that his family planned to stay there for many years to come.”
William and Kate will keep the Kensington Palace 1A flat, which was renovated with £4.5 million in taxpayer money in 2013, as their official residence and business base, which will continue to house their office staff.
They will also keep the 10-bedroom Norfolk country mansion, which was a gift from the Queen and has undergone construction work at their expense.
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“While average families struggle with energy bills and face hyperinflation, why would we give another home to William and Kate? That’s a shame,” Smith added.
But a royal source said the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were very conscious of their move amid the cost-of-living crisis crippling the nation.
Asked if William and Kate were aware of the economic difficulties facing many who would not be able to afford such opportunities, the source said: “They certainly are.
“It’s something they’ve thought about long and hard and it’s a decision they haven’t taken seriously.
“It would have been very difficult for them to continue to serve as a senior member of the royal family if they were based in Norfolk.
“What they’ve done basically allows them to put the kids first, but also to keep doing what they do all day and every day.”
The Cambridge family searches for a life away from the bowl of goldfish at their official residence in west London in an attempt to put their children first and give them more freedom.
The source added, “This is a decision the parents made to give their children the ‘best start’ possible.
Kensington Palace could be a small aquarium.
“They wanted to be able to give George, Charlotte and Louis a little bit more freedom than living in central London.
“It’s a kids-led decision.”
Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, four, will start at private co-educational private school Lambroke near Ascot in September.
The family of five moves to Berkshire before term starts.
The Cambridges will live at Adelaide Cottage after the Queen gave them permission to rent a Grade II listed four-bedroom country house, which belongs to the Crown Estate.
William and Kate will pay the rent for the market value of the property out of their own money, not taxpayer money via the Sovereign Grant, and will pay their own moving costs.
The downsizing means that nanny Maria Teresa Torreon Borrallo will live elsewhere for the first time, as will the other staff including the housekeeper and chef.
They will be closer to the Queen, who is based primarily at Windsor Castle, as well as Kate’s parents Carol and Michael Middleton who live in Buckleybury.
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