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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jennifer Newton

William and Kate Middleton leave London circle 'aghast' by 'plotting move to Windsor'

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have reportedly left members of their London circle 'aghast' by eyeing up a move to Berkshire.

The royal couple currently split their time between their official London home of Kensington Palace and their weekend retreat of Amner Hall in Norfolk and are said to be ready to move as living in suburbia makes "total sense".

According to the Telegraph, the pair, who are parents to eight-year-old Prince George, Princess Charlotte, six, and three-year-old Prince Louis, are eyeing up a move to Windsor and are interested in the Fort Belvedere residence.

It was built between 1750 and 1755 for Prince William Augustus and is located in Windsor Great Park.

Kate Middleton and Prince William with their children George, Charlotte and Louis (Getty Images)

According to MyLondon, it was built in the Gothic Revival architectural style and the home was fondly referred to as 'The Fort' by many members of the Royal Family.

The home was hugely expanded by George IV who added an octagonal dining room, a three-storey annexe and a large flag pole.

In 1929, it became the home of Prince Edward, Prince of Wales, who later became Edward VIII - and it is where he signed his abdication papers in 1936.

An aerial view of Fort Belvedere in Windsor Great Park (High Level/REX/Shutterstock)

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The Telegraph writes: "Their London circle is aghast – what’s wrong with Anmer Hall, their 10-bedroom weekend house in Norfolk? – and so, too, are their green-welly friends, who consider this corner of Berkshire as not proper countryside and horribly naff."

The couple are reportedly "seriously considering" a move to Windsor (PA)

However, a source told the paper: "People can be very snotty about that area west of London, but that mainly comes out of ignorance.

"It’s picturesque and also meaningfully close to town, unlike other parts of the Home Counties."

Last year, it was reported that William and Kate were "seriously considering" relocating to Windsor to be closer to the Queen and royal decision making.

A move to Windsor would also see them nearer Kate's family, who is based not far away in Bucklebury.

A source told the Mail on Sunday at the time: “Anmer Hall made sense while William was a helicopter pilot in East Anglia and it was useful for Christmases at Sandringham, but it doesn’t really work anymore.

"It’s a little too far away for weekends, but Windsor is a perfect compromise. They are eyeing up options in the area."

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