A private approach to family life
The Prince and Princess of Wales are known for being discreet about their home life. However, details about where and how they live reveal arrangements that are slightly different from what many might assume.
Unlike most couples, the Prince and Princess of Wales did not sleep in an upstairs bedroom while living at Kensington Palace. A floor plan of Apartment 1A shows that their main bedroom was actually located on the ground floor.
According to Cambridgeshire Live, the principal bedroom they once used was positioned at ground level within Apartment 1A. The expansive residence, formerly home to Princess Margaret, contains 20 rooms spread across four floors, along with a private lift, gym and accommodation for nine staff members.
Why royal homes are called ‘apartments’
Late royal author Christopher Warwick explained the terminology during an appearance on True Royalty’s Royal Beat. He said: “All of these royal residences at Kensington Palace are called apartments, which of course makes people immediately think they are flats like the American term for an apartment.”
“They are not. If you think of Kensington Palace in a way, it is built around three courtyards. If you kind of think of them as being these wonderful red brick terrace houses. Because they are all joined, but separate houses.”
After several challenging years, including the Princess’s cancer diagnosis alongside that of her father-in-law King Charles, the couple have continued to balance family life across multiple homes. While they retain access to Anmer Hall in Norfolk, they relocated last year to the eight-bedroom Forest Hall in Windsor. Before that, they lived at Adelaide Cottage, a smaller and more understated property in the same area.
The history of Adelaide Cottage
Set within the Crown Estate’s private 655-acre Royal Park, Adelaide Cottage dates back to 1831. It was originally built as a retreat for Queen Adelaide, the wife of King William IV, and is steeped in both history and intrigue.
The property underwent major renovations in 2015 and features notably lavish details. Reports claim that the main bedroom includes a ceiling decorated with gilded dolphins and ornate rope motifs.
Following Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018, there was brief speculation that Adelaide Cottage might become their Windsor residence. At the time, it was suggested that the couple valued the cottage for its privacy and its convenient distance from London.
