The future is bright for Wills and Kate.
Like many couples in their 30s, William and Kate are moving up the property ladder.
Perhaps roaring up would be more correct since they’ve left their rented farmhouse on a secluded bay in Anglesey for the 20-room, four-floor, Apartment 1a Kensington Palace.
To be fair to the privacy-loving couple, they would probably prefer it if it was the other way round.
For the past three years the locals have left them in peace to enjoy their paradise island. The other day my hairdresser in Oxford told me her brother, based in North Wales, had
come across William queuing at a burger van, without any hassle.
He and Kate have enjoyed long walks along secluded beaches, cinema nights at the multiplex in Llandudno, and more burgers for William plus a chicken salad for Kate, at the White Eagle at Rhoscolyn
It’s little wonder the prince, reflecting on his time on Anglesey, said they were going to “miss it terribly.”
Like the Queen and Prince Philip who shared two carefree years from 1949-51 on another magical island, Malta, they are sure to look back on the last three years as among the best days of their life.
A change was nevertheless on the cards.
Their apartment in ‘KP’ (as Diana called it) has been refurbished and is ready for them to move into later this month.
The Queen has also granted them the use of Anmer Hall on her 20,000 acre Sandringham estate, which will be a perfect place to bring up Prince George.
Having the first and second in line to the throne, plus any future baby Cambridges, living together on an isolated Welsh farmhouse was considered more of a security risk, than when it was just William and Kate on their own.
There’s George’s future to think of too. William was just over three years old when he started nursery school in London’s Notting Hill, less than half a mile from the palace. Two years later he moved on to nearby Wetherby School. Kate, like Diana, is a hands-on Mum and will want to do the daily school run. The Cambridges’ office staff are now based at KP and it will be easier to liaise with them face to face.
Another key member of staff is the couple’s 43-year-old housekeeper Antonella Fresolone, who worked for the Queen for 13 years, has an excellent track record as a royal assistant and can knock up a pretty mean pasta dish which will delight the royal couple who prefer stay-at-home meals to a night on the tiles.
Another crucial factor was the need for them to shoulder more royal duties. Nine of the 15 royals who carry out formal engagements are aged over 60. The Queen and Prince Philip are 87 and 92 and the Cambridges will be a great help, particularly in undertaking long haul trips.
Australia and New Zealand are on the cards for 2014 and baby George, who will be accompanying them, has already applied for his passport. William and Kate are global superstars and can bring youth, glamour and their royal profiles to help sell Britain abroad. William’s new initiative, United for Wildlife, will bring together seven of the world’s largest conservation organisations under one partnership, of which he will be president.
It will focus on combating the threats to our natural heritage, especially regarding endangered species, and help to protect the planet for future generations, a worthy aim for the father of a very young son, who will be king at the dawn of the 22nd Century.
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