While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle purchased a lavish $4.7 million getaway in Portugal, Prince William and Kate Middleton have opted for something much more humble and modest. Originally home to the son of Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, Adelaide Cottage perfectly “fits with their desire as parents to be a normal family.”
Unlike their infamous ex-royal counterparts, the Prince and Princess of Wales have always sought a modest lifestyle for themselves and their children. Of course, as royals, there are numerous locations the two could have chosen to enjoy a luxurious livelihood. However, the secluded nature of Adelaide Cottage, along with the privacy thanks to its surrounding forested area, is the ideal place for William’s desire, especially after Kate’s stressful cancer treatment.
Oddly enough, the Prince and Princess of Wales’ big decision to choose the cottage “surprised a lot of people when they moved there,” according to royal expert Duncan Larcombe. Speaking to OK!, Larcombe says it’s a house where, unlike the grand palace, “there aren’t servants, and they don’t have 30 rooms.” Yet, “William would much rather have his kids around him, in the rooms next door to where he’s sleeping.” With their desire to be a ‘normal family,’ it makes perfect sense that Kate Middleton and Prince William don’t want to have a great physical space between them and their children in their own home.
Not only that, but “Kate’s been able to go out for walks and enjoy the fresh air, rather than be cooped up in some draughty old palace in London.” The Princess of Wales must have gone through hell fighting her cancer and dealing with treatments. Adelaide Cottage is an ideal home that’ll be beneficial for her gradual recovery “with her family around her.”
The cottage’s location also provides convenience for the royal family. It sits quite close to where Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis attend school. A 15-minute drive back and forth lets the parents have very little trouble dropping off and picking up their kids. Additionally, the Middletons, Kate’s parents, are less than an hour away. “The kids spend a lot of time with their grandparents, and when William and Kate are both working, the Middletons can step in. That’s a huge advantage for any young family.”
To conclude, while Kate Middleton and Prince William’s big decision to move into Adelaide Cottage was a surprise, it definitely fits the bill of a cozy yet modest home for a normal household. This certainly is a striking difference when compared to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. These two have only wanted to ‘up’ their lavish lifestyle with fancy housing, extravagant business ventures, and showy PR movements to gain the attention of the masses.
Of course, that isn’t to say the Duke and Duchess of Sussex don’t have their own loyal following. But they are generally seen as what a royal household shouldn’t be, as opposed to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s approach to how members of The Royal Family should act and seek to be perceived. Not to mention the rumored separation Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are undergoing.
