Royal Watch News

William and Catherine's house renovations

Jan 11, 2013, 12:02 GMT

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

The house rumoured to be the future family home of Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is to be renovated.

Prince William and Duchess Catherine - who are expecting their first child together - have reportedly been given the sprawling country home by Queen Elizabeth and now royal aides have applied for permission for a 'major development' of a mansion on the 86-year-old monarch's Sandringham estate.

The planning application has been made to the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk which covers the monarch's Norfolk retreat.

The council is being asked to approve the rerouting of the existing driveway and the extension of the garage block to form what is described as an equipment room.

The application also includes the conversion of wood stores at Anmer Hall - which is the name of the house they are set to move into - to accommodation and the construction of a new garden room.

According to the Daily Mirror newspaper, a decision on the plans is expected in March by planning officers under delegated powers.

It is thought William and Catherine - who was known as her maiden name of Kate Middleton until her wedding in April 2011 - could use the Norfolk mansion house as a country retreat with their main residence being an apartment in London's Kensington Palace.