The Royal Family’s Adelaide Cottage, nestled within the lush 655-acre Windsor estate, has been the home of the Wales family ever since their move from London in 2022. This Grade II-listed gem, originally built for Queen Adelaide, offers a more grounded and green upbringing for Charlotte, Louis, and their older brother, Prince George.

While their previous abode of Kensington Palace screamed opulence, with its 20-room, four-story grandeur complete with underfloor heating, encrypted Wi-Fi, a TV projector, and a panic room, Adelaide Cottage is a step towards simplicity. Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, have found their Windsor country home to be a special place for the Wales family.

Although small and quaint, with only four bedrooms—quite modest for a royal residence—Adelaide Cottage has become, for all intents and purposes, the Wales family home, and they’re very happy there. Living in the middle of Windsor Home Park, where they aren’t overlooked and can come and go in complete privacy, makes the downsizing from Kensington Palace worth it on every level.

When it comes to official matters, Kensington Palace remains the official residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales. They have an expansive apartment within the grand palace, though the family rarely uses it. Her Royal Highness was previously reported to have spent some post-surgical recovery time at the Windsor property earlier this year. The Wales household has also moved to Anmer Hall at times due to its larger size.

Any renovations at Adelaide Cottage would typically be funded by British taxpayers, but the Prince of Wales is reportedly not keen on this idea. Plans are said to include restoring a rundown brick annex near the cottage that would serve as a retreat for the future queen and her staff.

This red-brick annex building, spacious yet currently uninhabitable, sits next door to Adelaide Cottage and needs extensive renovations if it were to be used. Discussions have been ongoing about using the property, but William is conscious of public scrutiny over royal spending and is considering how to cover any renovation costs responsibly. Due to family priorities, this project has been put on hold for now.

Originally built in 1831 for Queen Adelaide, Adelaide Cottage was fully renovated by William and Catherine in 2015. It’s long rumored that the restoration included gilded dolphins and ropes adorning the master bedroom walls. The renovation project comes amid reports that the Princess of Wales is in good spirits after chemotherapy treatments successfully eliminated her cancer.

The Wales family treasures their time at Adelaide Cottage, alongside their beloved dog, Orla the cocker spaniel. During a recent outing, William revealed a snippet of their home life, mentioning that Orla often joins him and Catherine at bedtime. He shared this detail with a well-wisher during a visit to Duchy College in Cornwall.

Adelaide Cottage features charming historic touches, like a glacier Egyptian marble fireplace and a master bedroom ceiling adorned with dolphins, offering a cozy royal hideaway in sharp contrast to their previous lavish lifestyle in London. Along with Adelaide Cottage, William and Catherine have retained Apartment 1A within Kensington Palace in London, where they lived before moving to Windsor, and Anmer Hall, their country home in Norfolk.