On January 17, Kensington Palace announced in a press release that Kate Middleton had undergone abdominal surgery at the London Clinic. A surgical intervention whose reason remained secret for a long time, but which was finally revealed. In a video published on social networks, this Friday March 22, the Princess of Wales revealed that she had cancer. “It was thought that my condition was not cancerous however, tests carried out after the operation revealed the presence of cancer,” she assured. After two weeks of hospitalization, Prince William’s wife then left the clinic in the greatest secrecy to carry out her long convalescence at Anmer Hall. As revealed by the magazine Hello!, this Friday March 22, Kate Middleton, her husband and their children, George, Charlotte and Louis, should soon leave Windsor to rest in Norfolk during Easter. The perfect opportunity to revisit five secrets of the luxurious Sandringham property, a dream place where the royal tribe can take refuge when they need peace and quiet, in this green setting away from prying eyes.
A fabulous wedding gift
This 18th century building was a gift from the Queen for the wedding of Kate and William in 2011. Its Georgian style, its isolation and its proximity to the sea in the east of the kingdom make it an ideal refuge. It is also here that the family found refuge during confinement. Wales must be particularly grateful to Elizabeth II for this precious gift.
⋙ PHOTOS – Kate Middleton and William family refugees at Anmer Hall: 5 things to know about their Norfolk house
Two million euros invested under the sign of demand
While Meghan Markle was singled out for her demands during the work on Frogmore Cottage, Kate Middleton was also particularly formidable when it came to rehabilitating Anmer Hall. It took no less than two million euros to meet the Cambridges’ wishes: “The roof was redone, a winter garden was created, as well as a large nursery for George and his little sister Charlotte. The car access path was modified and planted with trees to avoid the prying eyes of paparazzi, and accommodation for security officers was installed in annexes.listed Le Figaro in 2015.
An ideal place for physical activities
Everything has been put in place to encourage physical activities. Wales organized the outdoor spaces for the children and their dog Lupo. George, Charlotte and Louis have a multitude of choices between a climbing wall, swings and squirrel cages. A large lawn has replaced the swimming pool and the tennis court, the three toddlers “now enjoy their freedom in the spacious gardens of Anmer Hall”confided a source, amused, to Sun. They also enjoy bird watching.
A refuge well frequented by several generations of royal highnesses
It’s not the first time Anmer Hall has been frequented by the royal family – William and Harry both visited there as children to see family friends. Additionally, the house was home to the Duke and Duchess of Kent between 1972 and 1990, according to the magazine Town and Country. Anmer Hall has long been the full-time family home of Kate Middleton and Prince William following the birth of Princess Charlotte. Very surrounded, they had a large number of friends there from the aristocratic environment.
An area with the scent of scandal?
The estate was involved in a dark affair. In 1896, it was sold at auction to Ernest Terah Hooley, an infamous financial fraudster who went bankrupt four times and served time in prison. Twice. The purchase ultimately served Prince Edward VII, who wanted to prevent Alexander Broadley, Hooley’s commercial developer, from becoming a permanent guest on the estate. With the arrival of Wales, Anmer Hall undoubtedly became more family-friendly.
Photo credits: Julien Burton / Bestimage