In recent days, the internet has preoccupied itself with the same question: where is Catherine, the Princess of Wales? While the answer is, by all means, unconfirmed, some reports point towards Anmer Hall, the Georgian country home on Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England.
We at H&G aren't going to comment on the rumors, but we couldn't help but take a closer look at Anmer Hall because, like all royal residences, they have a rich history that's always worth exploring.
Built in 1802, the home first came into royal possession after Queen Victoria purchased it as part of the Sandringham Estate. Its red brick façade is a fine example of traditional Georgian architecture – complete with dormer and bay windows and a porch with Tuscan-style columns.
The ten-bedroom home has a 'mixture of contemporary designs and well-loved antiques' including gilt picture frames and houseplants, per British Vogue. The dining room is said to be bold jewel green hue, while, outside, the grounds hold a swimming pool and a tennis court.
Once a wedding gift from the late Queen Elizabeth II, the family has been known to retreat to the home over recent years. Some report that Anmer is the family's 'favorite' home, with Catherine especially enjoying playing tennis on the aforementioned court that was installed on the property.
Most recently, the Prince and Princess of Wales were said to have spent the February school holidays together at the hall while Kate continued to recover from her 'planned' abdominal surgery (carried out on January 16th), The Sunday Times’ Roya Nikkhah says.
Though Anmer Hall is not as widely discussed as the more famous royal residences (including Adelaide Cottage and Kensington Palace, the Prince and Princess' other homes), it remains frequented by the family.
The hall's close proximity to Sandringham House, where the Royal Family traditionally gathers every Christmas, also makes it a convenient choice for the family when they stay in the country over the holidays. It's believed to be the setting of the family's 2020 Christmas portrait, taken by Matt Porteous below.
Speaking on the BBC’s Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers, Prince William also emphasized his love for Sandringham, where Anmer Hall is found. 'For me, coming here and now living here, everything that [Prince Philip] has done has led up to Catherine and I feeling that this is a part of the country we want to be in,' the Prince says. 'We love this area, it feels like home, and that's because of what he's created.'
For more information on Sandringham, we're picking up this guide via Amazon below.
