The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are preparing to move into their new
country bolthole with baby son Prince George in a matter of months,
MailOnline can reveal.It is understood that the Queen has asked the current tenant of Anmer Hall in Norfolk to vacate the property as soon as possible, four years before his lease is up.
The 10-bedroom Georgian property is situated on the monarch’s private estate at Sandringham and has been lived in by company director James Everett and his family for 13 years. He also runs his bespoke timber company, Norfolk Oak, from its stables.
However the magnificent mansion has now been earmarked by William and Kate as second home for their family.
The couple are already renovating another 20-room home in Kensington Palace to serve as their primary London residence, which has so far cost taxpayers £1.1 million in building costs.
Last night Mr Everett confirmed to the Mail that the family business had already started moving out of Anmer Hall ahead of the lease, which had not been due to end until March 2017.
The business is in the process of relocating to new premises at nearby RAF West Raynham.
But Mr Everett denied that he is receiving compensation from his landlord, the Queen, to leave.
The news coincides not just with the birth of William and Kate’s first baby on Monday, but also the end of William’s current job as a Search and Rescue pilot based at RAF Valley in Anglesey.
One possibility is that he could transfer to fly with 22 Squadron B Flight at nearby RAF Wattisham in Suffolk, where his brother Prince Harry is also based with the Army Air Corps, using the new Norfolk home as a base.
But it is more likely he will transfer back to London for a new office-based role with the Household Cavalry.
Either way, dozens of specially trained armed police officers are now being recruited to guard Anmer Hall on a rolling 24 hour, seven day a week basis, in line with other royal properties.
Norfolk Police confirmed to the Mail this week that they are looking to beef up the security capability around the Queen’s Sandringham Estate, on which the house is situated.
It is understood that around forty to fifty police officers will be involved in the operation, with extra personnel being sought from both within existing Norfolk police ranks and outside. It costs at least £100,000 to train and arm each firearms officer and the cost will be met by taxpayers.
A spokesman for Norfolk police confirmed: ‘Recruitment for additional Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs) in Norfolk remains open at this time, to both internal and external candidates, as we seek to address a current shortfall in numbers.
‘Our AFOs are required both for normal policing duties and to support our on-going commitment to the Royal Estate at Sandringham in the west of the county.’
An insider added: ‘The force needs to train more armed cops as the couple are going to live there sooner rather than later.’
A raft of new security measures have also been approved by the local council, including the planting of dozens of trees to shield the stunning property from public view.
According to a planning application lodged with King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, an existing wood store will be converted into extra accommodation – mostly likely for police officers guarding the property – while a garage block will be transformed into an equipment room.
Other plans involve moving the main gates to the property further down the access lane so members of the public will not be able to get so close to the house.
Royal aides have also been given planning permission to begin extensive improvements including a new garden room and a pergola made from stone columns with oak beams for plants to trail through, providing both shade and privacy on the patio area.
These will be designed by architect Charles Morris, who was behind a controversial extension for Prince Charles at his own country home.
Council officers have approved the plans under delegated powers, which means they did not have to go through the usual council planning process.
Anmer Hall is one of 150 situated on the monarch’s 20,000-acre Sandringham Estate in Norfolk and is only two miles east of Sandringham House, one of her favourite private residences.
The hall, which largely dates back to 1802, was used as an illicit bolt-hole by Prince Charles and the then Camilla Parker-Bowles during their long-running affair when it was rented by the prince’s friend Hugh van Cutsem.
Prince William, who is close to the van Cutsems’ children, is also said to have enjoyed many happy visits to the hall as a child.
It also has something of a royal pedigree having been leased to the Duke and Duchess of Kent as their country house from 1972 until 1990.
The house, which has a swimming pool and tennis court, will provide a place where the young family will be able to entertain and host guests.
It is also close to Holkham beach where Prince George will be able to play as his father and grandfather both did.
The Sandringham Estate has been owned by the Queen since her accession in 1952 and by the Royal Family since 1862.
Although much of the land is open to the public, the paparazzi are no longer allowed to photograph the Royal family relaxing there, making it even more attractive to the Duke and Duchess.
A spokesman last night declined to comment about royal plans for Anmer Hall but stressed that Kensington Palace would be the Cambridge’s ‘primary and long-term residence, where they plan to spend the next few decades’.
source : dailymail.com
