Prince William and Princess Kate show their true colours with move to new 8-bedroom home

Prince William, Princess Kate, and their three children will reportedly move to a new "forever home" in Windsor by the end of the year, an insider has said, where they will remain even after William becomes King. In a move showing the couple's true colours, they are paying for the move to the new home themselves and rent at no extra cost to the taxpayer, it is also understood.

Unlike Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who spent £2.4million of taxpayers' money on their home Frogmore Cottage, William and Kate are funding all renovations themselves and will have no live-in staff. The Sussexes, however, later paid back the money before being evicted by King Charles. The Wales family are reportedly set to move to the eight-bedroom Forest Lodge home in Windsor Great Park. A source said the family is hoping for a "fresh start" at the home, which is larger than Adelaide Cottage where they currently live.

Renovations are reportedly underway at the property to enable it to be ready for the family to move in before the end of the year.

The Sun reports that planning applications show minor work has already begun at the Grade-II listed lodge. Renovations are reportedly set to be funded by the couple themselves and Princess Kate has already been spotted picking new furniture, including a 24-seater table, to kit out the new abode.

The source said: "...Over the last few years while they have lived at Adelaide Cottage there have been some really difficult times.

"Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter; an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind. This is a move for the long-term. They see it as their forever home."

The Sun understands the move from Kensington Palace in London to Adelaide Cottage three years ago was partly designed to test life in Windsor and see if it worked for them as a family. The family still have Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, however, which they use for school holidays and occasional weekends.

Insiders say the Windsor location allows the royal couple to be "as hands-on as possible" as parents while balancing all the engagements a busy royal calendar brings.

Forest Lodge was last renovated in 2001 at a cost of £1.5million. At the time, it was valued at £5.5million, but according to house price indices, it would be worth around £16million if put on the open market.

The freehold is owned by the King in care of The Crown Estate.