Kate and William's new lease spells out how long Forest Lodge remains home

Princess Kate and William’s future at Forest Lodge is finally coming into focus as newly released documents reveal exactly how the couple secured their Windsor base. 

Unlike Andrew’s eyebrow raising ‘peppercorn rent’, the Prince and Princess of Wales are paying full market price for their eight bed mansion and they’re clearly planning to stay put. 

Their agreement, a “20-year non-assignable lease for Forest Lodge, commencing 5 July 2025,” signals a long-term commitment to life in Windsor.

Royal correspondent Danielle Stacey notes the couple’s love for the area, with the children thriving at Lambrook School and Windsor Castle just moments away for engagements. 

The Crown Estate confirmed that independent valuers from Hamptons and Savills assessed the property, while both sides received their own legal advice before the lease was sealed at open market rent.

But while the arrangement is by the book, there is a small escape clause. 

Property expert Bryan Johnston explains that tenants can surrender the lease with 12 months’ notice, though meeting repair obligations on the way out could be costly. 

In Andrew’s case, he warns, any failure to meet those duties could leave him with a bill that outweighs his surrender payment.

For Kate and William, however, all signs point to one thing that they’re in Windsor for the long run.