The Prince and Princess of Wales are known for keeping their domestic life private, but it has emerged that their sleeping arrangements at Kensington Palace were rather unconventional. Unlike most couples, they did not occupy an upstairs bedroom; instead, the principal bedroom was situated on the ground floor of Apartment 1A.
Apartment 1A, formerly the residence of Princess Margaret, boasts 20 rooms across four floors, as well as its own lift, gym and nine staff quarters. The late royal author Christopher Warwick once explained that the term 'apartment' can be misleading. Speaking on True Royalty's Royal Beat, he said the royal residences at Kensington Palace are effectively joined terrace houses built around three courtyards.
The couple, who have faced a challenging period following the Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis, also have access to Anmer Hall in Norfolk. However, they moved to the eight-bedroom Forest Hall in Windsor last year, having previously resided at Adelaide Cottage, a more modest property in the same area.
Adelaide Cottage, set within the Crown Estate's 655-acre Royal park, was built in 1831 for Queen Adelaide, consort of King William IV. It later became a favoured spot for Queen Victoria, who regularly enjoyed breakfast there. Another notable resident was Group Captain Peter Townsend, the former RAF pilot and equerry whose romance with Princess Margaret caused considerable controversy due to his status as a divorcé 16 years her senior.
The cottage underwent extensive renovation in 2015, with reports noting the master bedroom features a ceiling adorned with gilded dolphins and intricate rope detailing. Following Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018, there was speculation that the couple might take on Adelaide Cottage as their Windsor home, given its privacy and proximity to London.
