New Home for Prince William
The Prince of Wales, through the Duchy of Cornwall, has scrapped plans to build a large mansion at Harewood End in Herefordshire, which was due to be completed in 2010.
In its place a substantial, but more modest, 6-bedroomed, eco-friendly property is to be constructed — subject to planning permission.
The house has been widely assumed to be Prince Charles’s future wedding present to Prince William. The scrapping of the mansion for a smaller, quicker-to-build property will increase speculation that wedding plans between William and Kate Middleton are well advanced.
Architect Craig Hamilton said : “The brief from the Duchy of Cornwall was to design a smaller house but still with sufficient architectural presence that is demanded by the adjoining buildings and the landscape.”
It has been known for a while that Prince Charles had commissioned a country house at Harewood End, bought by the Duchy of Cornwall six years ago. For more than a year, a team of architects, builders and restorers has been working on the 900-acre estate.
According to local people in this small corner of Herefordshire, England, the house is to be Prince William’s home after he marries. “This estate is for William and his wife,†said one. “We all know it and it will be perfect for them.â€
I don’t think i will have time to read any more posts before the new year so here’s wishing you John, and fellower site fans a merry christmas and happier new year. John, the house looks great. But i think you’ll be quite surprised by who ends up living there.
By Mary Jones on December 18th, 2006 at 12:49 pm
Mary, what do you mean?
And a merry Christmas and very happy New Year to you too.
By John on December 18th, 2006 at 1:04 pm
I am going to be checking this site daily even though we will have all the family home for Christmas and I will be cooking and baking non-stop.
A very blessed Merry Christmas to you, John and to all your readers, and a healthy, Happy New Year!
Mary - what DO you mean? Do you think the house may be for Harry?
By Gigi on December 18th, 2006 at 3:20 pm
Thank you, Gigi, and lots of the same to you.
I’m intrigued by what Mary says too. We know Zara’s signalling a forthcoming wedding, and Harry could fall prey to temptation any time soon. Plus Peter Phillips. But this is Charles’s estate and the house is intended for one of his own. I’d be very surprised if it weren’t for William and Kate.
By John on December 18th, 2006 at 3:56 pm
I will be surprised also. After all, Harry does not appear to be at a point where marriage to Chelsy is near term. All the signals point to the house being for Prince William and Kate. Why else was she choosing wallpaper, for one thing?
By Gigi on December 18th, 2006 at 4:25 pm
i agree that this house will be for william and kate. unless harry does something shocking. it just seems unlikely that he and chelsy will marry or engage before william and kate.
By s.s. on December 18th, 2006 at 7:23 pm
who knows ss, who knows…. gigi I will be unpacking from my movie all week long
By Ziny on December 18th, 2006 at 11:47 pm
Ziny, that is not exactly a restful way to spend Christmas, but I hope it goes well and that you enjoy the holiday as much as possible! Happy New Year!
By Gigi on December 19th, 2006 at 3:00 am
Unpacking can be fun, Ziny, especially over Christmas. While everyone else is piling on weight, you’ll be taking it off.
Have a great time.
By John on December 19th, 2006 at 11:25 am
Ziny welcome to the U.S. I do hope that you take sometime away from your packing to enjoy the Holiday. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Healthy New Year.
By Trudie on December 21st, 2006 at 2:14 am