Inside the grand home of Prince George’s football pal & it’s MUCH larger than the royal’s four-bed Adelaide Cottage

Prince George, second in line to the British throne, has friends from wealthy backgrounds with impressive estates. One of his pals, 12-year-old Ralph Tollemache, joined him at a recent Aston Villa match with Prince William. Ralph’s family resides at the 400-acre Helmingham Hall estate in Suffolk, which features its own drawbridge.

The Tollemache family has lived at Helmingham Hall for centuries, tracing their roots in Suffolk back before the Norman conquest of England. Ralph’s parents, Edward and Sophie Tollemache, are part of King Charles III’s inner circle. Edward is the king’s godson, and Ralph served as one of the Pages of Honour at Charles’s 2023 coronation ceremony.

While Prince George lives in the relatively modest four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage, his friend Ralph’s family home is the grand, historic Helmingham Hall estate, highlighting the wealth disparity among the young royal’s social circle.

In 2007, Edward, also known as Ed, tied the knot with Sophie at St Columba’s Church in Knightsbridge. His godfather Charles was present at the wedding ceremony. Edward is believed to have worked as a Client Relationship Director at Wren Investment Office.

The Grade I-listed Helmingham Hall has been in the Tollemache family for centuries and would certainly be suitable for royalty. The medieval manor house, dating back to 1480, features a 60ft-wide moat and is accessed by two working drawbridges. This historic property has been in the family’s possession for hundreds of years.

Helmingham Hall was originally built by John Tollemache, a major landowner and estate manager.

Over the years, it has had several ties to the British Royal Family, aside from the friendship between Prince George and Ralph Tollemache.

The estate’s website states that Queen Elizabeth II and other royals have been privileged to visit Helmingham Hall on numerous occasions in recent years.

After the Queen’s passing, Lord Tollemache expressed that it was a “great honor” to host Her Majesty and Prince Philip on private visits.

He previously mentioned that Helmingham Hall provided a relaxing retreat for the Queen and Prince Philip, especially during difficult times like the year she described as her “annus horribilis” following events like the Windsor Castle fire.

The article provides an informative overview of Helmingham Hall, a historically significant estate with royal connections. While the hall itself remains a private sanctuary, the gardens and deer park are open to visitors from May to September, with adult tickets priced at £9 and children’s tickets at £4.50.

Notably, the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip found solace at Helmingham, where they could unwind and relax, particularly during challenging times, as described by the Queen herself in reference to her “annus horribilis” following the Windsor Castle fire.

The estate is owned by Lord Tollemache, the 5th Baron Tollemache, and guests can explore the breathtaking grounds, including the rose garden, orchard, and Apple Tree Walk.

Helmingham Hall has also gained recognition through its appearances on television shows like BBC One’s Antiques Roadshow and the 2019 documentary Danny Dyer’s Right Royal Family.

While Prince George’s friend resides in the grand Helmingham Hall, the Prince and Princess of Wales have opted for a more modest residence, Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, after leaving their 20-room Kensington flat, which was nicknamed “a prison for children.”

Prince William and Kate Middleton, both aged 41, relocated their family, including Prince George (10), Princess Charlotte (8), and Prince Louis (5), during the summer of 2022 to a more rural setting. After an extensive search of approximately a year, they settled on Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, which is conveniently located near a school where all their children could attend together. The decision to choose Adelaide Cottage was influenced by its minimal need for major renovations, as reported by The Sun.

With its charming pink exterior and expansive grounds, the royal residence exudes a fairytale-like ambiance. To establish a routine, the children are tasked with packing their school bags the night before and preparing their uniforms, followed by an early bedtime.

The cottage’s location is ideal for the school run, as it is only a nine-mile drive from Ascot, where the children attend the prestigious Lambrook School, which charges £7,000 per term.

Adelaide Cottage offers a stark contrast to the family’s four-story apartment in Kensington, which they still utilize when their presence is required in London. This move represents a significant lifestyle change for the royal family, embracing a more rural and potentially more private setting.

The Adelaide Cottage, the new residence of Prince William and Kate Middleton, is a modest four-bedroom property located on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Built in 1831, it incorporates elements from the former Royal Lodge of the Prince Regent. This Grade II listed building underwent major renovations in 2015 and has been a grace-and-favour property since 1945, meaning it is owned by the monarch and can be provided rent-free as part of an employment package or as a gift.

Interestingly, the family does not have live-in staff, with any aides commuting to Windsor instead. This includes their former live-in nanny, Maria Borrallo, who has been with them since Prince George was a baby. Reports suggest that Kate Middleton encourages her children to be independent, helping them get ready for school without relying on staff. The children are also expected to pack their school bags the night before and hang their uniforms, following a routine instilled by Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton.

The couple’s decision to move to Adelaide Cottage aligns with their desire for a modest home with a garden, allowing their children to play outside together. This choice reflects their commitment to providing a grounded upbringing for their family, despite their royal status.

Adelaide Cottage, the residence of Prince William and Kate Middleton in Windsor, offers a more modest living environment compared to their previous London abode. Despite having the option to reside in the extravagant Windsor Castle, the couple opted for the Grade II-listed cottage, which underwent renovations eight years ago.

While the property retains certain historical elements, such as golden dolphins and ceiling rope decorations in the master bedroom, repurposed from a 19th-century royal yacht, and a marble Greco-Egyptian fireplace, the overall interior is described as relatively low-key and modest.

Situated within the 655-acre Windsor estate, Adelaide Cottage provides ample space for the family, including their children and dog Orla, to enjoy the outdoors and explore the surrounding grounds. This choice of residence reflects a more understated lifestyle for the royal couple, contrasting with the grandeur of their previous London residence.

The Prince of Wales, William, recently enjoyed a low-key visit to a pub in Norfolk with his mother-in-law, Carole Middleton, during the family’s Easter break at Anmer Hall. This outing comes after Princess Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis in a touching video message last month. The 42-year-old royal mother of three shared the “huge shock” but assured that she is “getting stronger every day.” She chose to delay releasing the information to protect her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte (8), and Prince Louis (5), who had already begun their school break and were with their parents when the video was posted.