The Princess of Wales marks her 43rd birthday today, celebrating privately with her husband, Prince William, and their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
A Royal Residence with a Twist
While the Waleses are famously private about their home life, intriguing details have emerged about their previous living arrangements at their iconic London home. Contrary to the typical setup for a couple, they did not use an upstairs bedroom in their Kensington Palace apartment.
The main bedroom they occupied was situated on the ground floor of Apartment 1A, a sprawling residence within the historic palace. This 20-room, four-floor home, complete with a private lift, gym, and quarters for nine staff, was once the domain of Princess Margaret.
Understanding the 'Apartment' Label
The late royal author Christopher Warwick clarified the terminology used for these grand homes during an appearance on True Royalty's Royal Beat. He explained that the term 'apartment' can be misleading, as it suggests a standard flat.
"They are not," he stated. "If you think of Kensington Palace... it is built around three courtyards. Think of them as being these wonderful red brick terrace houses. Because they are all joined, but separate houses."
A Move to Windsor and a Historic Cottage
Following a challenging period marked by the Princess's cancer diagnosis and that of King Charles, the family has access to Anmer Hall in Norfolk. However, last year they moved to the eight-bedroom Forest Hall in Windsor.
Prior to this, they set up home at the more modest Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor Estate. This picturesque home, built in 1831 for Queen Adelaide, wife of King William IV, is steeped in royal history and occasional scandal.
It was a favourite retreat of Queen Victoria, who often took breakfast there. Later, it housed Group Captain Peter Townsend, the divorced RAF pilot and equerry whose love affair with Princess Margaret caused a national scandal.
The cottage underwent significant renovation in 2015. Reports suggest its master bedroom boasts an ornate ceiling decorated with gilded dolphins and rope motifs. Following the 2018 wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, there was brief speculation that the couple might move into Adelaide Cottage, attracted by its privacy and proximity to London.
