William and Kate could have a home in Norfolk Chris Bishop

chris.bishop@archant.co.uk

@chrismojo 24 June, 2012 - 11:27

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge at Sandringham last Christmas Day. Picture Matthew Usher. Archant © 2011 01603 772434

The Queen has given the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge a property on her 20,000-acre Sandringham Estate.

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Prince William, who turned 30 last week, was described by one insider as “as country boy” who “loves Norfolk like his parents and grandparents”.

The Queen has reportedly given William a cottage on the estate as a 30th birthday present. The Prince enjoyed what was described as a low-key, private celebration on Thursday.

The location of the property has not been revealed but there was speculation that it could be Wood Cottage - the modestly-named former home of King George V overlooking the ornamental lakes in the grounds of the house, which is currently used as an estate office.

The Duke and Duchess have also stayed at Wood Farm Cottage, on a secluded corner of the Royal Estate at Wolferton, where generations of the Royal family have hosted informal shooting parties.

Both currently live on the island of Anglesey, in North Wales, where the Prince is works as an RAF search-and-rescue pilot. But he could decide to end his flying career at the end of this year to devote more time to Royal duties.

The couple have other properties, including a cottage at Balmoral and an official residence at Kensington Palace, in West London – the former home of Diana, Princess of Wales.