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Why Duchess Kate's parents traded in £1.5m home when she married royalty

The Duchess lived there for years

carole michael middleton sold house
Rachel Avery
Homes Editor
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After Kate Middleton married Prince William in 2011, 12 months later, the Duchess' parents Carole and Michael Middleton decided to part ways with their family home.

READ: Carole Middleton's romantic home decor is perfect for date night - see photos

The royal moved there aged 13, and spent her teenage years in the £1.5million property named Oak Acre in Bucklebury village, but her parents decided to upgrade to the £4.7million Bucklebury Manor after they deemed it to not be private enough.

WATCH: Kate Middleton films inside her royal residence - and it's epic!

The property's location had public access points which allowed passers-by to look in, and given their daughter's new royal status, they didn't want to take any risks.

Read more about the former Middleton family home where Kate Middleton was raised with her siblings Pippa and James

SEE: Carole Middleton's huge converted barn in Berkshire she pays extra tax on

Located in Berkshire, which ranked higher than Windsor in a recent 'Best places to live in England' list, the red brick exterior, Georgian-style windows and pointed roofs of their former home ensure it is in keeping with the area's aesthetic.

Photos show it has manicured lawns, submerged flower beds and an abundance of trees. It's also set within one-and-a-half acres of beautiful grounds.

All of Carole and Michael's children attended Marlborough College, which is a 40-minute drive away from the area.

kate middleton parents home

Kate was 13 when her parents moved to Oak Acre in Bucklebury village 

The Middletons are still very settled members of the village, and Prince William and Kate Middleton even invited the local pub owner to their nuptials in 2011.

LOOK: Kate Middleton and Prince William's student home where they fell in love

SEE: 12 show-stopping royal dining rooms: The Queen, Prince Charles and more

bucklebury village

Kate's parents still live in Bucklebury village

Carole and Michael's current home is a seven-bedroom Grade II-listed Georgian manor and is much more secluded. Kate's brother James stayed there for a while during the pandemic, giving fans a glimpse inside its beautiful grounds.

kate middleton prince william bucklebury

Prince George spent the first few months of his life in Bucklebury 

It is also believed that Prince George spent the first few months of his life at this idyllic countryside home when Kate was a new mother.

The Duchess now lives in Apartment 1A Kensington Palace, along with her husband Prince William and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. As well as their central London residence, the family has a country retreat in Norfolk called Anmer Hall. Considering the Duchess grew up in the countryside, we can only imagine that she very much enjoys the quiet surroundings of their second home.

RELATED: Prince William and Kate Middleton's 'immensely special' first home with Prince George revealed

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