Families living in cottages close to the Prince and Princess of Wales’ future residence have reportedly been asked to leave earlier this summer.

The homes, once Forest Lodge’s stables, had been converted into rental cottages managed by the Crown Estate. According to The Mirror, tenants were “surprised” by the request to move but were not formally evicted. Instead, they were relocated to similar housing within Windsor Great Park’s 4,800 acres.

A source told the Mail on Sunday: “They were told to move out. I guess they were given somewhere else, but they were told they had to move. They were not expecting it. Those houses are very close to the lodge, so they’re not going to want any Tom, Dick or Harry living in those houses if there are going to be royals there.”

The Wales family’s move to Forest Lodge

William and Kate are expected to move into Forest Lodge later this year with their three children. The £16 million, eight-bedroom mansion in Windsor will become their long-term base, described by insiders as their “forever home.”

The couple are said to be seeking a fresh start after living at Adelaide Cottage, where they reportedly endured “some really difficult times.”

One royal source told The Sun: “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.”