Welcome to the real Coronation St
As William and Kate plan a move to Windsor, we take a look at who lives where
According to recent reports, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are considering relocating to Windsor. With a London base in Kensington Palace and their country home on the Sandringham Estate, royal insiders reckon the pair is now planning to join the rest of the Royal Family, Windsor-way.
It makes sense, as Anmer Hall, which was gifted to them by the Queen as a wedding present, was their main base when William worked for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, but now they are full-time working royals, insiders say they are hoping to find a family home closer to the royal action in Windsor.
Properties under consideration could include Fort Belvedere, a Grade II-listed house where Edward VIII signed his abdication in 1936, or Frogmore House, the Grade I-listed former home of Queen Victoria’s mother. Wherever they choose, they’d be the latest royal residents of the real Coronation St. Here’s who lives where:
The Queen: When the pandemic hit, the Queen and Prince Philip relocated to Windsor Castle. This was the safe-haven the Queen lived in with Princess Margaret during World War II and she has once again made it her main residence as she rides out the crisis. The 11th-century castle is also open to visitors.
Prince Andrew and Fergie: Andrew lives in the Royal Lodge. The Grade II-listed mansion was previously the home of the Queen Mother and includes 40 hectares of land, various cottages and ex-wife Sarah. Despite the couple divorcing in 1996, they now cohabit happily. There were some reports William might take over the lease from Andrew, but it seems unlikely the Queen would ask her son to move.
Princess Eugenie and Jack: The young family rents one of the most infamous homes on the estate – Frogmore Cottage – which was converted into a family home for Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in 2019 at a cost of £2.4 million. When the family moved to the USA and stepped down from their royal duties, they re-paid the grant and leased it to their cousins and new baby August.
Prince Edward and Sophie: The family lives in Grade II-listed Bagshot Park, just outside Windsor. The 21-hectare estate has been used by everyone from Charles I to Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Arthur. It’s ideally placed for Lady Louise, 17, to continue the carriage-driving her grandfather Prince Philip taught her, in Windsor Great Park.
The Middletons: Another attraction for William and Catherine’s relocation would be that her parents are close by – the Middletons live in Bucklebury Manor, Berkshire, about an hour’s drive from Windsor. By all accounts, it’s “just like a royal residence”.
The secret fairy-tale cottage: It might be a tad small for the Cambridges’ needs, but our favourite property in Windsor has to be the enchanting miniature thatched cottage Y Bwthyn Bach, gifted to six-year-old Princess Elizabeth by the people of Wales in 1932. Fully-furnished, with running water and electricity, it was installed in the gardens of the Royal Lodge and Elizabeth and Margaret adored it. Princess Beatrice refurbished it and it’s still in use by the Queen’s great-grandchildren today.
Fury over Queen’s funeral plan leak
Thankfully the Queen is still very much alive and enjoying her summer break in Balmoral, but it was still a shock to see her funeral plans leaked this week. The secret plan called Operation London Bridge reveals what will happen in day-by-day detail.
The state funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey, coming ten days after her passing. It’s believed the Queen will lie in state for three days with the public allowed to pay their respects. The Prime Minister will deliver the first tribute live on TV and gun salutes across the UK will follow.
With an investigation under way and reports claiming the Palace is ‘furious’ and ‘deeply frustrated’, the highly sensitive leak came days ahead of the 24th anniversary of Diana, Princess of Wales’ funeral on Monday. The shocking circumstances of Diana’s sudden death meant no plans were in place and the funeral plan for the Queen Mother, codenamed Operation Tay Bridge, was quickly used instead.
In other grisly news, Diana’s death appears to be the inspiration behind a scene in new movie Harry and Meghan: Escaping the Palace. Stills from the film appeared this week and revealed a dream sequence showing Meghan trapped in a car crash surrounded by paparazzi before Harry rushes to the wreck and opens the door. In another sick twist, the film is set to air in the US on Sept 6.
Kristen’s standout performance
Meanwhile, the much-anticipated biopic Spencer premiered at the Venice Film Festival on Friday and the first reviews are raving about Kristen Stewart’s performance. Despite initial misgivings about casting the Twilight star as Diana, so convincing is Stewart, she received a standing ovation.
The movie, by director Pablo Larrain, is set at Sandringham over one Christmas, when Diana finally decides she can no longer stay in the Royal Family. Reviewers say it is dark and moving and already generating Oscar-buzz. Unfortunately, we have to wait until November to see for ourselves.
Move over Harry, here comes Action Man Arthur
We told you he was fit – and now Arthur Chatto’s turning real Action Man, as he reveals he’s been accepted to train as an officer in the Royal Marines.
The 22-year-old son of Lady Sarah Chatto and grandson of Princess Margaret, becomes the first member of the Royal Family to do so since Prince Edward, who dropped out during training in 1987. According to insiders, the Queen was “pleased and proud,” and Arthur spent his summer wild-camping and yomping about Balmoral.
Arthur has long been into sport – he supplemented his studies at Edinburgh University by working as a personal trainer and rowed around Britain for charity. Sadly, he has made his Instagram page private so we can no longer witness his fitness.
We want to be in Charles and Camilla’s clan
This week Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall looked terrific in tartan on a visit to the village of Ballater, near Balmoral. Charles wore the Balmoral tartan while Camilla’s is believed to be a unique design. The couple, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, opened a new community centre.
Camilla also hit the headlines when she released her personal twist on a Victoria Sponge, in support of Poetry Together. We think her suggestion of using lemon curd or Nutella, with optional fresh cream, sounds delicious. Make it here.
Thank you. I love everything about the royals