Why Prince William And Kate Middleton's House Move Is Getting Backlash
Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few weeks, you'll know that Prince William, Kate Middleton and their children are moving from their Kensington Palace home to Adelaide Cottage on the Queen's Windsor Estate. The move has made headlines, with plenty of speculation about where the Cambridge children will go to school as well as how they'll adjust to living in a much smaller home.
But not everyone is excited about the news, with some branding the move 'disgusting', especially given the tough times that people up and down the country are finding themselves in as the cost of living crisis worsens.
'While ordinary households are struggling with their energy bills and facing crippling inflation, why are we giving yet another home to William and Kate?' said Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic – a pressure group campaigning for an elected head of state.
'This is disgraceful,' Smith added.
'All these palatial homes require round-the-clock protection, heating and staffing,' he went on, claiming that this is: 'A state-owned property empire that is supposed to make money for the Treasury.'
To clarify, the Cambridge's use of the property is a gift from the Queen and she has given permission for the Duke and Duchess to lease it from the Crown Estate using their own private funds. The Crown Estate is not managed by the Queen, but its income does have some impact on how much money she is given each year.
Echoing Smith's comments, the BBC's former royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the move emphasised how the royals are not impacted by the same economic difficulties as other families in the UK right now.
'A third home for the Cambridges is a reminder the royals don’t suffer from the cost-of-living crisis and a looming recession in the same way as the rest of us,' Hunt suggested. 'When taxpayers' money was spent on refurbishing their apartment at Kensington Palace, Prince William, who campaigns for the homeless, insisted his family planned to stay there for many years to come.' It's worth noting however, that although the Cambridges are moving to Adelaide Cottage, Kensington Palace will remain the family’s official residence and the site of the Duke and Duchess' office.
Other people defended William and Kate, pointing out that Kensington Palace is not able to ensure the 'normal' upbringing they want to give Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
'Relocating to Adelaide Cottage in the ultra-private Home Park at Windsor takes away the "goldfish-bowl" aspect of the Cambridge family’s life,' said Majesty Magazine's managing editor, Joe Little.
'Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace is perfect in so many ways but the Duke and Duchess and their children are unable to come and go as they might like,' he added, pointing out that there are 'ever-present privacy issues' attached to the property.
When contacted, Kensington Palace declined to comment on the statements made against the Cambridges' move.
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