The Prince and Princess of Wales moved into their new home, Forest Lodge, in November last year, and there is one member of staff the royal couple reportedly won’t have.
According to royal biographer Robert Hardman, William and Kate have ruled out employing a royal butler. The author made this revelation in his book, New King, New Court.
© Getty ImagesRobert wrote: “The couple did not seek to boost the staff numbers at Adelaide Cottage, not least because there would be little room to do so. Reports that the Prince was hiring a valet were knocked back.
"The Kensington Palace team does include a 'yeoman', a multi-tasking attendant who looks after everything from luggage to uniforms, but there is no 'gentleman's gentleman' on the staff. ‘And certainly no butler,’ adds one source. ‘It’s very much them at home with the kids.’"
© Getty ImagesPrince William revealed another rule he and his wife Kate enforce in their family home, explaining how they encourage their three children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis - to stay climate-conscious.
The future King said in an interview with the BBC ahead of the Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town: "Every family tries to do what they can to sort of help with the environment."
He added: “We go through all the basics of recycling, making sure we minimise water use, and turning off lights when we leave the house and things like that… which is sensible in what we do around the environment, and I think every family has these conversations. You just try to do what you can."
New beginning
William and Kate, and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, moved into their "forever home", a Grade II-listed eight-bedroom mansion in Windsor Great Park. The move took place over the royal children's school half-term.
In 2001, Forest Lodge underwent £1.5million ($2million) of restoration work to retain the period detail, including the original stonework, elaborate plaster cornices and ceiling decoration, marble fireplaces, Venetian windows and a half-barrel vaulted hallway ceiling. Reports suggest that the future King has paid for the property and all necessary new renovations themselves.
The Prince and Princess of Wales left London full-time in 2022 for a quieter life for their three children as they grow older and learn to step into their royal roles. Forest Lodge is owned by the Crown Estate, so William and Kate will need to pay rental money to live there. It is believed that their agreement will see the royals pay the "market rate" rental price for the property.
After the restorations in 2001, it was placed on the rental market for £15,000 a month. Twenty-four years down the line, the value would have almost certainly increased. It is thought the value of the home is around £16 million.
