William and Kate vs Andrew and Eugenie: Who Gets Adelaide Cottage?

William and Kate vs. Andrew and Eugenie
Who gets Adelaide Cottage?

Who gets Adelaide Cottage, just a few minutes’ walk from the private quarters of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (96) at Windsor Castle?

Originally, the newly married Prince Harry (37) and Duchess Meghan (40) were supposed to move into the house on the Windsor estate. But as is well known, they now live with their children in the USA. Rumors have been growing for a few weeks that Prince William (39) with his wife Duchess Kate (40) and their three children Prince George (8), Princess Charlotte (7) and Prince Louis (4) want to move into the property instead.

In doing so, however, they would destroy the plan of another royal. Because Queen’s son Prince Andrew (62), who has also lived in the Royal Lodge on the Windsor site since the early 2000s, is said to want his younger daughter Princess Eugenie (32) and her family as new neighbors.

Eugenie lives in Harry and Meghan’s Frogmore Cottage

Eugenie has lived with her husband Jack Brooksbank (38) and their son August (1) in Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Harry and Meghan, since 2020. This historic building is also in the grounds of Frogmore House in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Harry and Meghan have kept the home despite moving to the US, having struck an undisclosed financial arrangement with the Crown Estate. Eugenie and her family had left their first home together – Ivy Cottage in Kensington Palace – for a life in the country close to the Princess’ parents.

Sources close to the princess told the Daily Mail this weekthat Eugenie “has been trying for some time to secure Adelaide Cottage when she moves out of Frogmore”. They added: “Prior to Andrew’s recent scandal [Verwicklung in einen außergerichtlich beigelegten Missbrauchsfall, Red.] it was definitely a property that he was also trying to secure for his daughter.” However, it is not clear whether they still have an interest in it. According to the newspaper report, the Cambridges – “all direct heirs to the throne” – have the right of first refusal.

William and Kate: moving in the summer

William and Kate have apparently been planning a move to Berkshire since last year, where George, Charlotte and Louis are also expected to attend school from September. The couple have looked at a number of schools in the area and several properties on the Windsor estate, including Fort Belvedere and Frogmore House. The latter is currently used for royal events and could only be converted into a family home at great expense. Both properties are said to have been classified as unsuitable. Private houses in the area were also visited.

But Adelaide Cottage, which in recent years has been used as official residence for royal staff and family friends, could be the ticket. It was announced last month that the Cambridges have their eyes on the property. The move should be completed by the summer.

Adelaide Cottage has a long history

Adelaide Cottage is set in 1,500 acres of Royal Parkland, part of the Crown Estate. It was built in 1831 as a retreat for the wife of King William IV (1765-1837), Queen Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen (1792-1849). It was also known as Queen Victoria’s (1819-1901) favorite home, who often ate breakfast there. The most famous former resident, however, is the late Princess Margaret’s ex-lover (1930-2002), the award-winning fighter pilot and writer Peter Townsend (1914-1995), whose affair with the Queen’s sister sparked a national scandal.

The home still features original features such as an Egyptian marble fireplace and a master bedroom with a coffered ceiling featuring gilded dolphins and rope ornaments reused from the royal yacht, the Royal George. It also has seven gated entrances and exits to Windsor Castle, allowing the family to go in and out in relative privacy.

The cottage was extensively renovated in 2015.

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