Royal Lodge’s association with the British royal family began in 1931 when King George V allocated the property to his son, George (later King George VI), and his wife, Elizabeth. The couple, along with their daughters Princess Elizabeth (who would become Queen Elizabeth II) and Princess Margaret, spent a significant amount of time there. The lodge was notably captured in the painting Conversation Piece at the Royal Lodge, Windsor, illustrating the family in a relaxed, domestic setting.
After the death of King George VI in 1952, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother continued to use Royal Lodge as a retreat in the countryside. Her passing on March 30, 2002, at this residence marked a deeply emotional moment in the estate’s history. Two years later, Andrew took up residence at the lodge, where he raised his daughters, Princess Beatrice, now 37, and Princess Eugenie, now 35.
Despite being divorced, Ferguson returned to live in the household in 2008. The estate also served as a backdrop for major family events. In 2018, Eugenie celebrated her wedding reception at Royal Lodge following her marriage to Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel. Beatrice, meanwhile, held a more intimate ceremony in 2020 at the nearby Royal Chapel of All Saints with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, attended by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
