Inside Prince William and Kate Middleton's surprise plans to upgrade home into 'sanctuary' amid cancer recovery
The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to be considering plans to renovate and extend a redbrick annexe next to their Adelaide Cottage home in Windsor.
The family - who moved to the Berkshire estate towards the end of summer in 2022 - currently split their time between the four bedroom cottage and their beloved Anmer Hall retreat on the Sandringham Estate.
While Adelaide Cottage provides the perfect location thanks to its proximity to Lambrook School where Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are students, sources say the family are looking at plans to extend a currently empty annexe to aid in the princess' recovery.
This decision, however, is said to not be without complications as the source explains that the Prince of Wales is "conscious of public scrutiny" about royal spending habits and is taking a measured approach about how to personally cover the costs.
“They [William and Kate] absolutely adore Adelaide Cottage, but it just about fits the entire family, whereas Anmer Hall is much larger with extensive grounds,” the source said. “Adelaide Cottage is being used as a term time property while the children are at school nearby and Anmer Hall is for long weekends and holidays.”
The source reveals that plans will eventually get underway to renovate and extend a dilapidated redbrick annexe at Adelaide Cottage, transforming it into a haven tailored to the needs of the Wales family and their staff.
While those plans are on hold at the moment while the Princess of Wales recovers, they are said to be quietly simmering in the background, waiting for the right time to be implemented.
“Nobody knows that there is quite a spacious red-brick annexe building that’s not being used next door to Adelaide Cottage,” the source said.
“It’s currently uninhabitable and needs extensive renovation works if it were to be used. Discussions have been ongoing for a while about using the property as part of the overall cottage grounds, but it’s just about finding the right time to kick the project off.”
Sources say that the necessity for space transcends luxury – it is integral to Kate's journey towards wellness, where she can comfortably navigate the complexities of treatment.
OK! has contacted Kensington Palace for comment.
Anmer Hall is currently the favoured choice due to its size and privacy. Nestled in the heart of the Crown Estate's private 655-acre royal park, Adelaide Cottage was built in 1831 as a retreat for King William IV’s wife, Queen Adelaide.
Adelaide Cottage underwent major renovations in 2015 and has some seriously elaborate decorations. According to reports, the master bedroom at the cottage reportedly has a ceiling covered with gilded dolphins and a rope decoration.
Following Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018, there were brief suggestions that the cottage would be their new Windsor home. It was said that the couple liked how private the cottage was and how close it was to London.
The location of the home is also very convenient for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as they are students at nearby Lambrook School.
