The Prince and Princess of Wales currently live in Forest Lodge in Windsor with their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis

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Buckingham Palace is best known as the home of the British monarchy – and the late Queen Elizabeth II lived there for most of her life.

In recent years, the 775-room residence has undergone a dramatic £369 million makeover using taxpayer money, but its purpose seems to be changing.

The current King, Charles III, is using it as a “monarchy HQ”, and, while Buckingham Palace remains his official residence, he has continued to stay at the nearby Clarence House with Queen Camilla.

And it appears that his son, Prince William, will follow his lead when he one day becomes King, choosing instead to remain at his “forever home”, Forest Lodge in Windsor, with his wife, the Princess of Wales, and three children.

Why won’t William and Kate move to Buckingham Palace?

Last October, William, Kate, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight, left Adelaide Cottage for Forest Lodge. They previously relocated to Windsor from London in 2022 for a quieter life away from the city.

HELLO!’s Royal Editor, Emily Nash, says: “When they left London for Windsor, William and Kate made it clear that they were doing it so their children could have more green space and freedom. That won’t change and they have since made it very clear that Forest Lodge will be their ‘forever home’.”

Emily explains that this likely won’t change, even when they become King and Queen.

She adds: “So while Buckingham Palace will always remain Monarchy HQ, for now, they want to keep as much normality for their family and that means not living in a palace or a castle. It’s hard to see that changing anytime soon.”

A royal U-turn?

Recent reports have implied that King Charles and Queen Camilla may never reside full-time at Buckingham Palace.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their Coronation

The building has been undergoing extensive renovations, which commenced when Queen Elizabeth was still alive. It involves future-proofing the palace with new wiring throughout.

However, his old friend, interior designer Nicky Haslam, expressed concerns at the prospect of the relocation not going ahead. He said the alternative of it being an office HQ leaves it with “no magic”.

“Turning Buckingham Palace into an office is wrong. Period,” he told the Daily Mail. “William won’t use it either. It stops Buckingham Palace being the jewel in the crown.”

Prince William and Kate’s ‘simple’ weekends at ‘fresh start’ home Forest Lodge – report

The Prince and Princess of Wales are marking 15 years of marriage this week and are believed to be celebrating in a typically low-key fashion

The Prince and Princess of Wales enjoy “relatively simple” weekends at home in Forest Lodge, sources have revealed.

Prince William, 43, and Kate, 44, usually spend their Saturdays and Sundays away from the public eye at their new Windsor home, according to a report in The Telegraph this week.

An insider described their weekends as “relatively simple”, with the Waleses providing a “taxi service” for their children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, ten, and Prince Louis, eight, to various sports commitments, playdates, and parties.

Prince William and Kate often indulge in a spot of TV – he likes sports matches, and she likes Masterchef. They also watch The Traitors together.

The royal mother-of-three is known for her love of gardening and has begun some new projects outdoors after getting a chainsaw for Christmas in 2024.

A ‘fresh start’

The family relocated to their eight-bedroom mansion, Forest Lodge, in November and previously lived at Adelaide Cottage.

It meant they were briefly neighbours with William’s disgraced uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was exiled from his Royal Lodge home in January. He now lives in Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate.

The Waleses enjoy quiet weekends at home