Prince and Princess of Wales Embrace New Beginnings at Forest Lodge as 2025 Draws to a Close
As 2025 nears its end, Prince William and Princess Catherine are embarking on an uplifting new chapter in their royal journey, marked by renewal, optimism, and tranquility. Following a demanding year, the couple has relocated to their permanent family home, Forest Lodge, situated in the serene expanse of Windsor Great Park. They are settling in with their three children: Prince George, 12; Princess Charlotte, 10; and Prince Louis, 7.
Kensington Palace confirmed the move in August, signaling the conclusion of their three-year residence at Adelaide Cottage. The family aimed to complete the transition by November 5, aligning it with the children’s half-term break from Lambrook School—and they succeeded. Shortly after, on October 31, William and Catherine hosted a heartfelt thank-you gathering at the York Club, a private members-only pub near Forest Lodge for Crown Estate residents and staff. The relaxed event featured drinks and light refreshments, where the couple expressed sincere appreciation to the builders and team who expedited the move.
Forest Lodge offers a grand yet practical sanctuary, boasting eight bedrooms, a long gallery, a tennis court, and a tranquil pond. Insiders describe it as an ideal haven for privacy and family life, allowing the children to flourish away from intense scrutiny. The timing minimized disruption, enabling the youngsters to adapt before resuming studies at Lambrook, the co-educational preparatory school they’ve attended since the family’s 2022 move to Windsor.
Prince George, in his final year at the school, is reportedly excelling and anticipating his next educational phase. While Adelaide Cottage—a cozy four-bedroom home on the Windsor estate—provided stability amid recent trials, Forest Lodge signifies deeper roots: a stable foundation for the future after personal and public hardships.
Amid private family joys, public commitments continue unabated. Prince William recently traveled to Rio de Janeiro to host the 2025 Earthshot Prize, his flagship environmental initiative launched in 2020 via the Royal Foundation. The awards distribute £1 million to each of five winners for innovative solutions to global ecological crises. Ahead of the ceremony, William shared his vision: “I want my children to grow up surrounded by nature, opportunity, and a sense of hope about the future. But I also know that unless we act boldly now, that future is at risk. The Earthshot Prize is about turning the tide, about proving to our children that we are willing to fight for their tomorrow.”
Princess Catherine, meanwhile, is gearing up for an emotional milestone: hosting her annual Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in December. Marking the event’s fifth year and her first since announcing cancer remission earlier in 2025, it promises to highlight her resilience, grace, and commitment to family and service.
As the year concludes, the Wales family is poised for a season of rejuvenation. With a home brimming with warmth, flourishing children, and impactful global work, William and Catherine are crafting a modern royal narrative—one that harmonizes tradition, authenticity, duty, and domestic bliss. Their shift to Forest Lodge is more than a relocation; it’s a testament to redefining monarchy through lived example.
