Prince William snubs palace tradition with new family ‘forever home’

A break with tradition with one move has experts warning Kate and William to be “careful” what they wish for.

Prince William is moving his family to a “forever home” in a bid to give his three children some semblance of a normal life.

When the Wales’ move into Forest Lodge, near Windsor, they will not have any live-in help and do not plan to live in Buckingham Palace once Prince William becomes King, it's been revealed.

Royal insiders suggest the family are hoping for a “fresh start” after a difficult few years, during which the Queen died in 2022 and Princess Catherine and King Charles were diagnosed with cancer.

Prince William wants his three children to have some semblance of a normal life. Picture: Supplied

William has also had to deal with the breakdown of his relationship with his brother, Harry.

So it is no surprise the 43-year-old feels the family need a new start.

It is understood that they are paying for the move and rent at no extra cost to the British taxpayer.

However, royal commentator Robert Jobson told The Sun that the heir to the throne should be “careful’’ of what he wishes for saying the move could see him “become less connected to the people”.

The eight-bedroom Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park will be the family’s new home. Picture: Supplied

“People do turn out when they see, particularly people like Sophie Wessex and the new Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward.

“They turn out in droves. They like that connection. And if you lose that connection, the monarchy actually loses something that it’s about.

“I think you’ve got to be careful what you wish for.’’

But for the time being, as William is changing “things the way he wants to”, the expert said fans of the royal family will just have to “wait and see”.

Prince William’s time to become the future King is still away – and in the meantime, “he’s very much focusing on his young family”, The Sun’s royal editor Matt Wilkinson said.

Prince William has had a challenging few years, which has included the breakdown of his relationship with brother, Prince Harry. Picture: Getty Images

“Remember, Charles as King doesn’t have a very young family that he has to make sure he’s at home when they get back from school – that’s what William enjoys.

“He enjoys the school run, and he wants to bring his children up in the countryside.

“His life is very different to what King Charles’ is.

“I know the late Queen Elizabeth II, she worked extremely hard when she was bringing up her children, but that’s what William perhaps is choosing not to do.

Prince William and his family will not move into Buckingham Palace even when he becomes King. Picture: AFP

“But it’s a different era as well.”

Jobson said “it’s not a question of choice – it’s a question of duty’’.

“I think that William has got to be quite careful whilst doing this balancing act.’’

While Jobson was understanding of the family going through “a difficult time” and raising three kids, “the role of the monarch is one where duty has to come first’’.

“I don’t think there’s any way around that unless you want to have a part-time monarch or a president,” he said.

“The reality is that is the job. It’s a job for life and it’s a job that’s pretty relentless.”

Originally published as Prince William snubs palace tradition with new family ‘forever home’