Prince George leads way as Wales children face big change with family’s move

Prince George is once again preparing to adapt to a new family home as the Prince and Princess of Wales gear up for an exciting end to the year. 

William and Kate are set to leave behind their candy-pink Adelaide Cottage, where George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis have settled since 2022, and move into the far grander Forest Lodge on Windsor’s Home Park estate.

It won’t be the first upheaval for the young royals, who previously lived at Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace before relocating to Windsor. 

While the prospect of more space and grandeur is exciting, child and adolescent therapist Laura Gwilt from Swift Psychology warns that house moves can be tough on children.

“Moving is a significant stressor for children because it disrupts routines and predictability,” she explains. 

“Even a single move in childhood can increase emotional stress, often showing up as irritability, clinginess, or sleep difficulties.”

“These are normal adjustment responses to losing a familiar environment,” explains child and adolescent therapist Laura Gwilt, who believes routine will be key in helping the Wales children feel secure. 

For George, Charlotte and Louis, the familiar rhythms of school, mealtimes and family rituals will act as anchors during this period of change. 

With their daily life at Lambrook School continuing uninterrupted just a short drive away, the children’s core routine will remain reassuringly steady despite the new address.

But how each child adapts could look quite different. “Children respond to moving differently depending on their developmental stage,” Laura notes.

“Younger children may regress temporarily becoming more dependent, struggling with separation, or showing behavioural changes. 

Older children and adolescents may resist, displaying irritability, withdrawal, or reluctance to engage in the new environment.”

That means Prince George, as the eldest at 12, may shoulder the pressure of adapting quickly, while Charlotte, and Louis could display more visible dependency on their parents.