Prince William and Kate Middleton make major security upgrades to ‘forever’ home over privacy concerns

Prince William and Kate Middleton have reportedly made major security upgrades to their new “forever” home in Windsor Great Park, England, due to privacy concerns.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 43, are planting new trees and hedgerows around the eight-bedroom property, as well as erecting fences to shield them from public view, according to the Mirror.

The outlet reported that painters and interior designers are busy decorating inside and that scaffolding was spotted on the left side of the estate.

The Mirror reported that redacted planning applications were submitted to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council in June.

The following month, permission was granted for slight external and internal changes to the property — including new windows and doors, as well as renovated ceilings and floors.

Middleton was reportedly seen furniture shopping for the estate, which the pair and their three kids, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, will move into by December.

The couple will reportedly cover the renovation expenses on their own to avoid an increase in cost to taxpayers and pay the market rent for their new home, which is valued at $21 million.

Page Six has reached out to Kensington Palace for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Back in July, it was reported that Middleton and William were ready to move on from Adelaide Cottage because they had “outgrown” the home.

A source told the US Sun that the family chose to relocate to put Middleton’s March 2024 cancer diagnosis behind them.

“Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter; an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind,” a source told the Sun of the princess, who has gone into remission.

After news surfaced about the royals’ move, some of their soon-to-be neighbors living in the nearby Cranbourne Hall Residential Park expressed privacy concerns for the family of five.

“I welcome them. But I hope the public allows them to live there quietly as a family,” Jean Reeve, who’s lived in the neighborhood for 40 years, told the Daily Mail last month.

“It’s a less private spot than their previous home — from what I know about the location,” the 87-year-old added. “So I’d hate for people to always be going past and saying, ‘Oh, that’s where they live.’”

Once William and his wife become the king and queen, they will not be able to live full-time at their “forever” home.

“The king has to be somewhere convenient to the center of government. They can’t expect ministers to come to Windsor,” Hugo Vickers, writer and friend of the royal family, told Page Six in August. “I am sure William and Catherine will have to use Buckingham Palace as their London base and also for ceremonial duties.”