Prince William and Princess Kate have always both been private about their living situation before marriage, but William’s living arrangements in a rural farmhouse did allow some privacy with his then-girlfriend, back in 2009.
William was working as a Flight Lieutenant at RAF Shawbury, when moved to Shropshire, which is about 130 miles from Kate’s family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire.
Instead of staying in the military base, the then 27-year-old royal chose more luxurious quarters at a rural farmhouse.
In the book ‘Kate: A Future Queen’ by Katie Nicholl, the farmhouse, which some described as a cottage, was reported to contain impressive features such as an outdoor swimming pool and stables, as written in Hello! Magazine.
The book states: “After a couple of weeks living at the base, which had far from luxurious living quarters, he moved to a nearby farmhouse on the grounds of a stately home, prompting comments that William was being given special treatment.
“The Ministry of Defence, however, insisted that he was being treated ‘like any other officer.'”
The book continues: “Complete with a tennis court and an outdoor pool, the farmhouse was a more comfortable option when Kate visited, and there was a bedroom for Harry, who had just split up with Chelsy and was being posted to the same base to train with the Army Air Corps in the spring.”
The book also reveals when Kate wasn’t visiting, William drove 130 miles to spend private time with her and the Middletons.
Harry also detailed the experience living with his brother. In his tell-all book Spare, Prince Harry opened up about his pad in Shropshire where he lived with William.
“The cottage was cosy, charming, just up a narrow country lane and behind some thickly canopied trees. The fridge was stuffed with vacuum-packed meals sent by Pa’s chefs. Creamy chicken and rice, beef curry. At the back of the house there were beautiful stables, which explained the horse smell in every room.”
The brothers also spoke about their living arrangements in a televised interview with the BBC back in 2009.
In the interview, William revealed his younger brother’s irritating condition that affected his own sleeping habits. “He snores a lot too. He keeps me up all night,” said Prince William, to which Harry jokingly laughed: “Well done, they’ll think we’re sharing a bed.”
“No, we’re not sharing – it’s very important we say that!” William clarified.
