Kate and William 'feel trapped' in Kensington Palace says expert

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William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, are moving from their home in Kensington Palace to Windsor later this summer. The Cambridge family will reportedly be moving to  Adelaide Cottage – a four-bedroomed Grade II-listed property on the grounds of Windsor Home Park.

They have decided to make the move from their 1A Kensington Palace apartment to give their children – George, nine, Charlotte, seven,  and Louis, four – “as normal a life as possible”. 

Omid Scobie, royal expert and author of Finding Freedom was critical of the move after £5.5million was spent on renovations to Kensington Palace. 

Renovation works on the property cost taxpayers £4.5million through the Sovereign Grant, in 2014 and an additional £1million was spent in 2019 on a new driveway. 

Writing for Yahoo on Wednesday, August 17, Mr Scobie claimed that the decision for William and Kate to move had “raised a few eyebrows”.

He said that the couple picking up a fourth home, “especially when one of them cost the public so much to renovate” is hardly the norm for “regular folk”. 

In a poll that ran from 10am on Friday, August 19,  to 10am on Sunday, August 21, Express.co.uk asked readers: “Should British taxpayers fund William and Kate’s Windsor house renovations?” 

Overall, 4,351 readers cast their votes with a majority, 60 percent (2,532 people) answering “no”, taxpayers should not fund William and Kate’s renovations. 

A further 39 percent (1,652 people) said “yes” taxpayers should, while just two percent (67 people) said they did not know. 

Hundreds of comments were left below the accompanying article as readers discussed who should fund royal renovations.

Some readers argued that William and Kate could afford any renovations privately. 

Username Kiran G said: “ I think Wills and Kate have more than enough personal funds to decorate their new home.” 

And username Justice Prevails wrote: “I trust that William and Catherine are wealthy enough to find their own renovations.” 

Others suggested that Adelaide Cottage was chosen due to the minimal work required to the property.

Username TomC2 said: “Adelaide Cottage was chosen because it doesn’t require renovation.” 

While username Queen4aDay wrote: “What renovations? I thought the whole point of Adelaide Cottage was that it was vacant, recently updated, and ready for occupancy.” 

A source told the Sun last month: “Kate and William were very keen for a modest home to start their new lives in Windsor. 

“Adelaide Cottage fits the bill because it is a four-bedroom home and they do not need any more as they have no live-in staff. 

“They were adamant they didn’t want anything too showy or anything that needed renovating or extra security so as not to be a burden on the taxpayer.”

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However, some readers commented that as senior royals the taxpayer should fund any renovations. 

Username Howard123 said: “As they are very much working royals, yes.” 

Another, username petitprintemps, said: “Of course, they are our future King and Queen. No one wants to see them living in a run-down castle!” 

And Username AReader said: “Adelaide Cottage is a Crown property. It should be kept in proper shape for use. This includes money spent to keep the house and grounds up to date.” 

William and Kate reportedly plan to keep their Kensington Palace apartment, where their official offices are, as a London base. 

The couple also have gifted properties – Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk and Tam-Na-Ghar and a private cottage in Balmoral, Scotland.

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