Anmer Hall, which was gifted to Duchess Catherine and Prince William by the Queen after their 2011 wedding, is finally finished after the couple’s $8.1 million makeover.
The ten-bedroom estate, which borders the Queen’s country estate of Sandringham in Norfolk, now features a brand new driveway for extra security and privacy, a modern swimming pool, a tennis court and a conservatory.
The couple reportedly intend for it to remain their principal residence for the next few years – so that the two young children can spend their precious first few years growing up away from the glare and chaos of London, before they move to their apartment in Kensington Palace.
After the last royal birth Duchess Catherine spent much of the first weeks with Prince George recuperating at her parents’ family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire. It’s also where the first official family portrait with Prince George was taken. This time though, Catherine’s parents are coming to her.
“When George arrived, Kate and William moved into Kate’s parents’ house. This time the Middletons are moving in to Anmer with William and Kate,” a family friend reportedly told the Daily Mail.
“There is plenty of space and Kate really wants her mother around,” the source continued.
“At the moment Carole is getting everything in place because the baby is due around April 25.”
Top: Anmer Hall, the ten bedroom Norfolk estate that William and Catherine have all ready for the new bub!
Bottom: William and Catherine pose with a tiny Prince George for their first official family portrait, taken at Kate’s parents home in Bucklebury, Berkshire.
With Prince William taking up a full-time civilian job too, recently commencing his commercial pilot training for the East Anglia Air Ambulance service, he only has two weeks paternity leave, just like any other working Dad.
Keen to keep their family home private and family-oriented, William and Catherine have chosen not to hire another nanny for their second bub.
They did however recently place an advertisement in posh British mag The Lady looking for a “loyal and discreet” housekeeper whose job would cleaning, cooking and some occasional childcare.
William and Catherine are frequently spotted spending time in the local township, with Kate said to be a regular at nearby Snettisham Farm Park where she takes young Prince George to visit the animals.
“Kate comes here a lot with George,” a source at the farm told the Daily Mail. “She is absolutely lovely and George is delightful. There is never a fuss when she’s here.”
“If she wasn’t pointed out to you, you wouldn’t know she was here. She goes about her business like any other young mum and dotes on her child. Little George is lovely, extraordinarily social and other children seem to fuss over him. They have no idea who he is,” the source added of the low-key royal.
