With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, new details about the future of Highgrove House, one of King Charles III’s most beloved properties, are emerging.
William And Harry’s Childhood Home Faces An Uncertain Future
The 18th-century estate near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, has long served as a private retreat for the King and his wife Camilla. But with Prince William and Prince Harry reportedly “not showing great interest” in taking over their childhood home, the palace is now considering an unexpected new purpose for Highgrove.
According to royal author Rupert Bell, in his new biography “New King, New Court, Charles III, The Inside Story,” one close ally of the King has floated the idea of turning Highgrove into a “Museum of King Charles III.”
“Neither of his sons has shown a great interest in taking on their childhood home,” Bell writes. The current or future Duke of Cornwall will need to decide the future of Highgrove, as it is a Duchy of Cornwall property under a long lease to the King. One close ally of the King has made an intriguing suggestion. Given the king’s personal devotion to the place and the way in which it encapsulates so much about the man, would it not make an ideal ‘Museum of King Charles III’ in years to come?”
Upgraded Funeral Plans For The King And Prince Of Wales
In addition to the future of Highgrove, Bell’s book has also uncovered details about the palace’s updated funeral plans for the King and the new Prince of Wales. The royal commentator upgrades the King’s valedictory arrangements to “Operation London Bridge,” mirroring the codename for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral plans.
The Prince of Wales has rebranded his funeral plans, previously known as “Operation Clare Bridge,” as “Operation Menai Bridge,” a reference to the famous structure that connects the island of Anglesey to the Welsh mainland.
“Operation Menai Bridge, named after the grand structure connecting Anglesey to North Wales, served as the codename for the King’s funeral plan during his tenure as Prince of Wales.” That is now the code for the new Prince of Wales, with the ‘Menai’ designation for all his immediate family in numerical order,” Bell explains.
King Charles ‘In Good Spirits’ Despite Cancer Diagnosis
While the palace is making preparations for the future, King Charles III himself remains “in good spirits” despite a recent cancer diagnosis, according to Bell’s book. “‘There has been nothing Eeyorish since his diagnosis,’ says a close friend,” the author writes, using a reference to the gloomy Winnie the Pooh character. “‘Being King is a suit that fits him well. Of course, he is experiencing a sense of fragility, which is understandable, but he remains in good spirits.
Prince William Misses The Search And Rescue Work
Elsewhere, Prince William has been open about missing his former “life” as a search and rescue helicopter pilot. The future King joined a lifeboat crew during a recent trip to Cape Town, South Africa, and they asked him if he had ever done search and rescue work.
“I miss this life. Any chance to get back, I’ll take,” William replied. The Prince was previously based at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales, before working as a pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Highgrove House and the Palace’s updated funeral plans appear to be just the beginning of the changes the royal family is navigating in this new era. But through it all, the resilience and adaptability of the Windsors shine through.
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