They moved in only a couple of weeks ago, but already the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have decided their Kensington Palace home is not quite what they had in mind.
Their main objection, I am told, is that their property, Nottingham Cottage - though secure in the royal compound and not visible to passing members of the public - is overlooked by other homes. These are not the royal apartments, but the flats lived in by palace staff.
I understand the couple have looked at other possibilities, but have decided to stay put for the time being because while Prince William continues his RAF posting in North Wales, it is not a full-time home.
Privacy issues: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are concerned that their apartments are visible to Royal staff
As I revealed two months ago, William and Kate have taken over the palace home of Prince Philip’s former private secretary Brigadier Sir Miles Hunt-Davis and his wife Anita.
It is next door to the home of the Duke of Kent, who lives in Wren Cottage at the back of the main palace. However, there are a number of buildings containing staff accommodation close by.
‘Some of the domestic staff live in flats overlooking them,’ says a source.
William and Kate’s apparent discomfort has arisen as aides have coincidentally been looking at another ‘privacy’ issue - the use of Perks Field, the green area directly behind the palace that runs alongside Kensington Gardens.
Not quite what we had in mind: Thankfully for the young couple, they regard Kensington Palace as only a temporary home
The field is used by the royal household’s sports teams and for several years has been where a number of schools hold their sports days - including the state primary where David Cameron’s daughter Nancy is a pupil.
But the field is also the spot where the royals’ helicopters take off and land. With William and Kate’s presence likely to increase the volume of traffic, there have been additional concerns.
These are thought to include health and safety matters, along with the fact that there is likely to be more curiosity from parents.
According to a source, there is a suggestion that some of the schools might be asked to look elsewhere for sports grounds.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman says: ‘As far as we are concerned, there is no change in the use of Perks Field. It continues to be used by local schools.’
