Willow and Hearth

Kate Middleton has brought her keen eye for design to the interiors of her new family home, Forest Lodge. She has embraced a “contemporary classic” style, blending timeless elegance with modern touches to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. This approach reflects both her background in the arts and her personal taste, making the home feel both refined and comfortable.

The Georgian-era manor offers a grand canvas with its eight bedrooms and historic charm, which Kate has enhanced through thoughtful renovations and carefully chosen furnishings. From antique dining tables to bespoke hand-printed textiles, her design choices highlight a balance between tradition and fresh, personal flair.

Overview of Forest Lodge and Its Significance

Forest Lodge represents a major step for the Wales family, offering a spacious and historic environment that reflects their evolving needs. Its rich history and unique features, combined with the family’s move from Adelaide Cottage, mark it as more than just a residence—it’s truly their forever home.

History of Forest Lodge

Forest Lodge is an elegant Georgian-era mansion nestled within Windsor Great Park, part of the Crown Estate. The eight-bedroom property has a storied past, once known as Holly Grove, and is admired for its classic architecture, including large bay windows, six chimneys, and grand fireplaces. The estate’s location on royal grounds ties it closely to the British monarchy’s tradition of expansive, private residences.

The house’s historic charm is matched by its size and privacy, making it ideal for raising the Wales children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—away from the public eye. Its setting offers a peaceful retreat while remaining close to Windsor Castle, a longtime royal residence.

The Move from Adelaide Cottage

The Wales family relocated from Adelaide Cottage in the fall of 2025 after nearly three years. Adelaide Cottage, with only four bedrooms, had served as a comfortable but smaller home near Windsor Castle. As their family grew, they needed more room and space to accommodate their lifestyle.

The move reflected Kate Middleton and Prince William’s desire for a larger, more permanent base. Forest Lodge’s eight bedrooms and expansive grounds provide this. The transition also symbolized a fresh start following Kate’s recent health challenges, offering the family a stable and private environment suited to their needs.

What Makes It the Wales Family’s ‘Forever Home’

Forest Lodge is often called the Wales family’s “forever home” because it combines historic grandeur with a modern family lifestyle. The spacious eight-bedroom layout allows ample room for the children and staff. Its private, gated setting within Windsor Great Park ensures security and tranquility.

Kate Middleton’s interior design influence is evident, with a focus on blending classic architectural features with contemporary comforts. The home supports the family’s public duties and private moments, symbolizing a lasting foundation for their future. Its proximity to Windsor Castle also maintains the close connection to royal life and traditions.

For more details on Forest Lodge, see how Kate Middleton is decorating this eight-bedroom mansion.

Kate Middleton’s Signature Interior Design Style

Kate Middleton’s interior design reflects a refined balance of tradition and modernity. Her creations blend timeless elegance with comfortable livability, drawing from her background in art history. She carefully selects furnishings and art that create a warm, inviting atmosphere, suited both for family life and formal royal gatherings.

Attention to detail, classic craftsmanship, and a modern twist define her approach. Her work across royal residences showcases a cohesive style rooted in British heritage while embracing contemporary needs.

Classic Contemporary Approach

Kate’s style is often described as classic contemporary, a phrase capturing her love for heritage matched with modern functionality. She favors clean lines and well-proportioned rooms that maintain historic charm without feeling dated.

This approach involves traditional architectural elements paired with updated interiors. For example, she incorporates Georgian-era features alongside fresh, neutral color palettes and subtle textures that create a relaxed yet polished feel.

Kate’s art history degree from the University of St Andrews informs her understanding of balance and proportion, enabling her to fuse old and new effortlessly. Whether at Adelaide Cottage or Forest Lodge, she builds interiors that respect history while promoting family comfort.

High-End British Brands and Local Designers

The Princess of Wales supports British craftsmanship by sourcing many furnishings and fabrics from high-end domestic companies. One notable collaboration is with Marina Mill, a family-run business with a royal pedigree known for hand-printed textiles.

This choice reflects her emphasis on quality and heritage. Kate visits these local producers personally, showcasing a hands-on approach uncommon even among royal circles. She also works with respected designers like Ben Pentreath, who share her vision of understated luxury rooted in tradition.

Her preference for British brands ensures that the interiors feel authentic and culturally connected, fitting the character of landmark royal homes like Forest Lodge.

Integration of Antiques and Artwork

A key feature of Kate’s interiors is the tasteful integration of antiques and fine artwork, often from the Royal Collection. She curates pieces that add history and character without overwhelming the space.

Portraits of her children and classic artworks grace several rooms, helping to personalize the home while connecting it to royal lineage. Antique furniture, like an impressively large dining table, combines practical use with refined style.

This layering of the old with the personal enriches the interiors, making them feel lived-in and meaningful. Kate’s art history expertise enables her to select pieces that enhance the narrative of each room, balancing heirlooms with modern comfort seamlessly.

For more about her work at Forest Lodge, see how Kate Middleton is decorating her new house with a classic contemporary style.

Notable Features and Personalized Touches in Forest Lodge

Forest Lodge combines historical charm with carefully chosen modern accents. Its distinctive architectural features and interior elements offer both elegance and warmth. The details range from grand windows to bespoke furnishings that reflect Kate Middleton’s refined taste.

Venetian Windows and Architectural Details

Forest Lodge showcases striking Venetian windows that bring a classic Georgian feel to the residence. These large, arched windows allow abundant natural light to fill the principal rooms, highlighting the intricate Flemish-bond brickwork on the exterior.

The mansion’s symmetrical design includes nine bay windows and six chimneys, contributing to its stately appearance. These period features add character while providing sweeping views of the surrounding grounds.

Attention to preservation and subtle updates ensures that the historic charm of Forest Lodge remains intact. The blend of old and new enhances the comfortable yet grand atmosphere of the home.

Marble Fireplaces and Barrel-Vaulted Hall Ceiling

Inside, several marble fireplaces serve as stunning focal points, combining functionality with elegant detail. Their polished surfaces and classic designs complement the Georgian style, adding warmth and sophistication to the living spaces.

A standout feature in the entrance hall is the dramatic half-barrel vaulted ceiling. This architectural element draws visitors’ eyes upward, creating a sense of spaciousness and grandeur right upon entering.

Together, these features underline the balance between historic grandeur and modern comfort that Kate has embraced in this home, making it both inviting and impressive.

Walnut Bookshelves and Decorative Elements

The living and study areas include rich walnut bookshelves, which display both books and cherished artwork. This choice of wood adds a warm, earthy tone that contrasts beautifully with the mansion’s lighter walls and bright natural light.

Kate’s eye for detail extends to decorative elements throughout Forest Lodge. She incorporates carefully selected antiques and tasteful throw pillows that blend with the overall contemporary classic style she favors.

These elements subtly reflect the family’s personality, fostering a cozy yet polished environment for everyday life.

Selection of Fabrics and Soft Furnishings

Kate Middleton sources many fabrics from Marina Mill, renowned for its hand-printed, high-end British designs. This choice supports local craftsmanship while ensuring the furnishings match the home’s refined aesthetic.

Soft furnishings, including bespoke curtains and upholsteries, are chosen with an emphasis on texture and color that complement the home’s classic interiors. The bespoke fabrics add a rich tactile quality to Forest Lodge’s rooms.

This attention to detail in fabrics and soft furnishings ties together the various rooms, creating a cohesive, inviting atmosphere throughout the residence.

For more on Kate’s design approach and the home’s details, see How Kate Middleton Is Designing Her and Prince William’s New ‘Forever Home’.

Creating Inviting Living Spaces for Family Life

Forest Lodge combines comfort, functionality, and elegance to suit the needs of the Wales family. Every space balances the children’s playfulness with grown-up sophistication, while showcasing Kate Middleton’s refined design taste. The home effortlessly shifts between cozy family moments and grand celebrations.

Family-Focused Rooms for the Wales Children

Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis each have their own spaces designed with their interests and needs in mind. These rooms are bright and spacious, providing plenty of room for play and study. Durable yet stylish furnishings ensure that the spaces are child-friendly without compromising on aesthetics.

Kate Middleton chose fabrics and decor that stimulate creativity but withstand daily use. The furniture is arranged to encourage interaction, with cozy reading nooks and play zones. Personalized touches include framed artworks and family photographs, creating a warm environment that feels truly theirs.

Designing Spaces for Entertaining and Hosting

Forest Lodge features an impressive antique dining table capable of seating 24 guests, signaling the Wales family’s love for hosting royal dinners and gatherings. The grand dining room is paired with elegant, bespoke fabrics, adding a touch of timeless sophistication.

The rooms flow seamlessly to accommodate large groups while still maintaining intimacy. Kate and Prince William have emphasized comfort and accessibility in social spaces, blending traditional design with contemporary practicality. This mix encourages conviviality while celebrating heritage.

Blending Personal Mementos and Royal Heritage

Kate Middleton incorporates pieces from the royal collection alongside family heirlooms, combining a deep respect for tradition with personal expression. Portraits of the children and subtle nods to British history are displayed throughout Forest Lodge.

The interiors reflect Kate’s ‘contemporary classic’ vision, where modern touches meet royal decorum. This blend creates a home atmosphere that respects the past but is very much alive and welcoming for the Wales family. It’s a space where legacy and daily life coexist harmoniously.

For more on the design style and details of Forest Lodge, see Kate Middleton’s interior design style for Forest Lodge.

Comparison to Previous Royal Residences

Kate Middleton’s interior design choices have evolved alongside the different royal homes she has lived in with Prince William. From the historic and refined feel of Kensington Palace to the cozy country charm of Anmer Hall, each residence has showcased distinct styles that reflect her tastes and family needs. Nottingham Cottage marked an early stage in their royal property journey, providing a simpler, more intimate space before the grander estates.

Kensington Palace and Apartment 1A

Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace was the couple’s first official royal residence. The interiors reflected Kate’s appreciation for classic elegance, with muted color palettes, walnut bookshelves, and carefully chosen artworks. Prince Harry described this home in his memoir Spare as “magnificent, like a museum,” highlighting the richness and attention to detail in the decor.

The style was a blend of traditional and contemporary elements, balancing historic royal heritage with modern comfort. The design incorporated fine wallpapers, ceiling trims, and a curated selection of volumes and antiques. This refined aesthetic set a high standard for royal living spaces, revealing Kate’s ability to merge history with livability.

Anmer Hall’s Country Retreat Style

Anmer Hall, gifted by Queen Elizabeth II, offered a different design challenge for Kate. This Norfolk country house emphasized warmth and rustic charm, moving away from the formal atmosphere of city palaces. She supervised a redesign here to create a family-friendly, relaxed environment with neutral tones and natural materials.

The style at Anmer Hall focuses on comfort and practicality without sacrificing a sense of elegance. It includes soft furnishings, subtle prints, and handmade details. This project allowed Kate to express a more personal and intimate side of her design sensibility, suited to raising children and enjoying countryside life.

Nottingham Cottage and the Royal Property Journey

Before their larger homes, the couple lived at Nottingham Cottage on the Kensington Palace grounds. This smaller, more modest residence served as a stepping stone in their royal journey. The interiors were simpler, more casual, and less formal compared to later residences.

Nottingham Cottage’s size and style offered a glimpse into the early days of William and Kate’s married life, emphasizing functionality over grandeur. It contrasts with the later grandeur of Highgrove, Buckingham Palace, and Clarence House, showing the scale and lifestyle changes the family experienced. It was a humble beginning that framed their transition through the royal property portfolio.

Renovations, Budget, and the Move Toward a Fresh Chapter

Kate Middleton and Prince William’s move to Forest Lodge marks a significant step in their family life. The couple has undertaken thoughtful renovations, striking a balance between preserving the home’s historic features and adding modern comforts. Financial and privacy considerations also play a key role in their transition.

Scope of Changes Made by William and Kate

The renovations at Forest Lodge have been extensive but carefully planned to respect the Grade II-listed status of the eight-bedroom mansion. Kate has applied her well-known interior design skills, focusing on creating a warm, functional family environment without compromising the property’s heritage.

The couple emphasized updating the living spaces to accommodate their three children, ensuring areas for study and play. A notable addition is the installation of a large antique dining table that seats 24, reflecting their intention to host family gatherings for years to come. These adjustments have allowed them to make Forest Lodge their “forever home” while preserving its character.

Balancing Historic Charm and Modern Comfort

Forest Lodge blends traditional design with contemporary needs. William and Kate’s choices showcase a mix of heritage features, like original woodwork and period details, alongside modern heating and insulation systems, enhancing energy efficiency and comfort.

Kate’s familiarity with art history and previous royal residences has guided her choices, ensuring the décor reflects a “contemporary classic” style. This creates an inviting atmosphere that respects the mansion’s legacy. The couple’s engagement with local artisans also brings bespoke, hand-crafted furnishings into the home.

Funding, Privacy, and the Crown Estate

The renovations and maintenance for Forest Lodge are funded through market rent paid by William and Kate to the Crown Estate. This arrangement supports transparency and ensures that public funds are not used for private improvements.

Privacy has been a priority throughout the move. The couple coordinated a fast-track completion of works to settle in while the children were on school break, minimizing public exposure. Their gratitude to the project team was shown in a private event, underscoring the importance of respecting both security and community efforts during the transition.

For more details on the home and their move, see the full story on how they are styling their space at Forest Lodge.