Kate Middleton’s childhood home: see where the princess was raised

As Anglophiles, our fascination with the lives of royals, especially those who marry into the firm, knows no bounds. Born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, the now Princess of Wales once resided in a charming house on the outskirts of London, prompting us to embark on a whistle-stop tour of her childhood abode.

While Kate’s upbringing was vastly different from being raised in a palace or stately royal residences like her husband, the Prince of Wales, and their children, she enjoyed an idyllic life in several expensive homes in the sought-after Berkshire region.

Kate, born in 1982, began her early life at West View, a 2-bedroom semi-detached home in Bradfield, Southend, just outside Reading. After their marriage in 1980, Kate Middleton’s parents, Mike and Carole, purchased this property for £34,700 ($43,600). It was in this very home that the former Duchess of Cambridge spent the formative years of her childhood.

Princess Kate’s early years were deeply rooted in the local community. She attended Bradfield Church of England primary school, conveniently located next door, and participated in Brownies at the nearby church hall. This connection to the neighborhood played a significant role in her formative years.

In 1995, her family sold their house for £158,000 ($189,000) and relocated to Oak Acre in Berkshire. The property’s English-style red brick exterior, Georgian-style windows, and pointed roofs seamlessly blend with the surrounding Berkshire architecture. Situated on one-and-a-half acres of grounds, the picturesque location has been recognized as one of the ‘Best places to live in England,’ surpassing even Windsor in a recent ranking. Adding to the area’s prestige are two Michelin-starred restaurants, the Blackbird and the Woodspeen, further enhancing its appeal.

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In 2012, Carole and Michael Middleton, the parents of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, purchased Bucklebury Manor in the picturesque village of Bucklebury, Berkshire, for £4.7 million ($5.9 million). This move was motivated by a desire for increased privacy after their daughter’s marriage into the royal family.

Bucklebury Manor is a Grade II listed Georgian house, built in the Regency style for the Winchcombe family. The property sits on 18 acres of grounds and features seven bedrooms, five reception rooms, a kitchen, a drawing room, a dining room, a library, a sitting room, and an entrance hall.

While Bucklebury Manor is not the house where Catherine, James, and Pippa Middleton grew up, it now serves as the family home. During her teenage years, Catherine divided her time between Bucklebury, Marlborough College, and Downe House, though she did not board at the latter.

The Bucklebury Manor, a sprawling estate spanning 18 acres, boasts stunning gardens, a tennis court, and a swimming pool, making it an ideal venue for hosting grand events like Pippa Middleton’s wedding reception in 2017 when she married James Matthews. It is reported that Prince William and Princess Kate recently spent Boxing Day at Bucklebury Manor with the Middleton family after celebrating Christmas with the Royal Family at Sandringham.

Currently, Kate Middleton, aged 41, resides with Prince William, 40, and their three children, Prince George (9), Princess Charlotte (7), and Prince Louis (4), in a four-bedroom home called Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. This cottage is one of many residences utilized by senior royals to maintain a level of privacy in their personal lives. Dating back to the 19th century and listed as a Grade II building, Adelaide Cottage is renowned for its seclusion, with very few exterior photographs available and strict restrictions on cameras inside the home.