The emotional accompanying statement was filmed at Amner Hall, their Norfolk retreat, where the family has tried to maintain a sense of normality during difficult times. Amner Hall, built in 1802, consists of ten rooms over three floors and spans 20,000 acres. The family is pictured enjoying long walks through the vast wheat fields and forests surrounding the estate, which is just five minutes from Sandringham. The recent release offers a glimpse into some of the interior spaces of their home, showcasing a bright atmosphere marked by large windows and decorations that reflect a cozy, country aesthetic.
A warm, deep yellow wall displays decorative plates, while rustic furniture displays framed family photos and greenery adds a natural element. The dining room has a welcoming Bohemian feel, decorated with tropical plants, scalloped lampshades and rich cream curtains, inviting light to flood the space. As the family plays cards and laughs, Catherine and William’s jewelry collection can be seen on a console table in the back, along with family photos, wicker baskets and artful vases, as well as woven lampshades and ornate plates on the walls.
In addition to the interior amenities, Amner Hall boasts a swimming pool, tennis court, winter garden and state-of-the-art kitchen. Queen Elizabeth II gifted Amner Hall to the couple in 2011, and in 2015, they undertook a renovation that cost in excess of $1 million to suit their family’s needs. Royal renovations are particularly expensive and, unfortunately, the taxpayer often has to foot the bill. Renovations to residences such as those of the King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales can run into the roof when funded by the Sovereign Grant, which makes financial details public.
Among the most significant expenditures was that of William and Katherine, who are believed to have spent around £4.5 million renovating their Kensington home over two years. These included a comprehensive overhaul of Kensington Palace, where the couple moved in 2011, addressing issues such as pest control and roof repairs. However, the Prince and Princess of Wales also chose to finance a second family kitchen themselves, as the main kitchen is reserved for official events and functions.
Although officially based in Wales, the couple continue to return to Amner Hall, a location that symbolises the beginning of their family life and a significant retreat on their personal journey. Meanwhile, Princess Katherine’s parents, Carol and Michael Middleton, co-own an impressive country house in Berkshire, where they raised Catherine and her siblings Pippa and James. Their childhood home, valued at £4.7 million, is so beautiful that it can be difficult to pinpoint a favourite feature.
However, in an interview with Good Housekeeping, the Middletons’ mother expressed a particular fondness for her chic country kitchen, describing it as a multi-functional space that acts as the heart of the home. She uses the kitchen as a workspace. A video shared by James Middleton in 2020 gave royal watchers a glimpse into Carol's kitchen, with natural tiles and a traditional Aga stove helping to maintain a warm atmosphere.
