Prince William Kate Middleton Compromise Windsor Estate Move Due Prince Andrew

Prince William and Kate Middleton became secretly engaged in October 2010 during a safari in Kenya, choosing to keep the news private at a friend's wedding shortly afterward, where subtle signs of their engagement were noticed but the iconic sapphire ring was not yet worn publicly. The couple officially announced their engagement in November 2010, marking a significant step in their eight-year relationship. In terms of their royal residences, William and Kate originally desired to move into the Royal Lodge, which has been occupied by Prince Andrew since 2003, but Andrew's refusal to leave forced them to compromise and settle in Adelaide Cottage in 2022. With Andrew’s ongoing controversies and his relinquishment of his Duke of York title amid scrutiny over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, William and Kate have adopted a "zero tolerance" stance to protect the future monarchy and have expressed concerns to King Charles III regarding Andrew's impact on the royal family's image. The couple is now preparing to move to Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom Georgian mansion offering a fresh start, as Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson are expected to vacate Royal Lodge, with Ferguson reportedly interested in Adelaide Cottage. These developments underscore the couple's efforts to navigate royal family dynamics and maintain the monarchy's stability amid ongoing challenges.