In 2025, Prince William and Princess Catherine (also known as the Prince and Princess of Wales) made a significant yet understated shift in their family life. After residing at Adelaide Cottage since 2022, they relocated to Forest Lodge, a historic Georgian mansion nestled within the expansive and wooded grounds of Windsor Great Park. This move, completed in late 2025 (reportedly during the school half-term in November), positions Forest Lodge as their “forever home”—an eight-bedroom property offering greater space, privacy, and a serene environment for their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
The relocation wasn’t driven by a desire for ostentation but by a practical pursuit of stability and normalcy. Forest Lodge, a Grade II-listed building dating back to the 1770s, provides breathing room amid royal duties while remaining conveniently close to Windsor Castle. The family reportedly pays market rent under a 20-year lease with the Crown Estate, and they’ve undertaken personal renovations, including eco-friendly upgrades like microplastics filters in utility areas.
Yet, even in this private retreat, royal life intersects with longstanding regulations. One notable rule stands out: all forms of motorized personal transport are strictly prohibited within Windsor Great Park. This ban covers e-scooters, hoverboards, one-wheels, and similar devices, enforced for reasons of pedestrian safety, traffic management, wildlife protection, and preserving the park’s tranquil, historic character.
Prince William, a known enthusiast of electric scooters—he was famously spotted riding one during an appearance on Apple TV+’s The Reluctant Traveler—must now comply fully. Official park guidelines reserve roads primarily for cyclists, residents, and estate workers, explicitly excluding motorized options. While a potential minor exemption might apply to private roads immediately near residences, the iconic Long Walk—a 2.5-mile tree-lined avenue leading to Windsor Castle—remains entirely off-limits to bikes, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, and the like.
Insiders note that William accepts the restriction without issue, viewing it as part of the broader responsibility that accompanies privilege. Duty, as ever, begins at home.
This blend of everyday adjustments and royal poise was evident in a recent public outing. On January 20, 2026, the couple visited Radical Weavers, a hand-weaving studio and independent charity in Stirling, Scotland. The engagement celebrated Scottish heritage traditions, craftsmanship, and their role in inspiring younger generations.
A quietly charming moment captured attention: As Catherine tried her hand at a loom, weaving tartan—a fabric deeply symbolic of Scottish identity—she removed her tailored blue tartan coat (a bespoke piece by London tailor Chris Kerr, crafted from Johnston’s of Elgin wool, a renowned Scottish heritage brand). Prince William, standing attentively behind her, stepped forward without fanfare, gently taking the coat and folding it neatly in his hands. With a subtle, barely concealed smile, the gesture spoke volumes: simple, supportive, and profoundly human.
Royal property investment
No grand speeches or orchestrated protocol—just a husband aiding his wife in a shared moment of engagement. It underscored Catherine’s longstanding advocacy for British textiles, sustainability, and cultural preservation, while highlighting the couple’s enduring partnership.
From the disciplined rules governing their Windsor sanctuary to these tender, unscripted instances on duty, William and Catherine exemplify a modern monarchy: respectful of tradition, committed to public service, and rooted in genuine family life. In Forest Lodge and beyond, they navigate privilege with responsibility, proving that the most compelling royal stories often unfold in the quiet, everyday details.