Prince William and Kate’s lease terms released after Andrew rent row | Royal | News
The Prince and Princess of Wales are paying “open market rent” for their new home, Forest Lodge, on the Windsor Park Estate. Prince William and Princess Catherine moved into the property with their three children in mid-October, and the couple moved into the property in July for World War II. He signed a lease for the Grade II-listed manor house.
The property, just a short drive from their former Adelaide Cottage home, is believed to be a fresh start for the family of five, who plan to make it their forever home. The Crown Estate confirmed the couple had a “20-year non-assignable lease with The Crown Estate for Forest Lodge from 5 July 2025” and had an “open market rent”.
This is different from the peppercorn rent paid by other royals for Crown Estate properties, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Royal Lodge, which he will soon vacate.
The Crown Estate said discussions regarding the market conditions for Forest Lodge had been held with Prince William and an agreement had been reached.
Independent valuers from the Hamptons and Savills estate agencies were reportedly appointed to determine the value of the property, and William and Kate received independent legal and property advice. This is something the Crown Estate does too.
The Crown Estate said: “The lease of the property resulted in a 20-year Common Law Tenancy at open market rent subject to standard Landlord and Tenant repair obligations.
“The lease was assessed by Savills and Hamptons acting on behalf of the Crown Estate. Knight Frank acted on behalf of TRH’s The Prince and Princess of Wales.”
The couple and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are believed to have settled well in their new home.
It is believed that renovations have been carried out to the interior and exterior of the property and that this has been paid for by William and Kate.
Prince William will reportedly keep the house as his primary residence forever, even when he becomes King.
