Prince William and Kate Middleton are having to make do with their four-bedroomed cottage which is “just too small” for the family of five, a royal source claims.
Despite widespread rumours about Prince Andrew being evicted from the Royal Lodge on the Windsor Castle estate, there appears to be no chance of him moving out.
As a result the Prince and Princess of Wales are “resigned” to remaining in Adelaide Cottage for the foreseeable future, according to an insider.
READ MORE: Kate and William give kids ‘as normal as possible’ childhood despite new royal status
William and Kate still retain the 20-room, four-storey Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace, which had once been Princess Margaret’s home, and 10-bedroomed Georgian country house Anmer Hall.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
However they plan to make Adelaide Cottage their primary residence in a bid to give Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis a “grounded” upbringing just a short walk from their school.
A source told OK magazine that despite the questions hovering around Royal Lodge and the costs needed to repair it, the Duke of York was provided for in Queen Elizabeth‘s will and, as a result, has been able to come up with the money to make essential repairs.
“The Palace originally wanted Andrew out of Royal Lodge so that the property could be renovated and prepared for new lodgers,” the source said.
“The Prince and Princess of Wales desperately want a larger property for their family in the Windsor area and discussions were originally focused on putting them in there”
(Image: Getty Images)
“However,” they added, “Andrew was having none of it and is adamant that he will see out the end of his lease at Royal Lodge.”
A Kensington Palace source added: “William and Kate love the cottage but it’s just too small for them.
“There are four bedrooms which just about fit them all in but there are other things that need to be considered. Staff and other elements need to be factored in.”
Prince Andrew has lived in the Royal Lodge since 2003, when he reportedly signed a 75-year lease for the property.
Since then, he has reportedly spent around £7.5 million renovating the the 30-bedroom property home he shares with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and rents it for £250 a week.
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