What does one future king get another future king for the latter’s first birthday? A playhouse—but make it fancy, to the tune of £18,000 (!).
Prince George received a pricy playhouse, installed at his grandfather the Prince of Wales’ home in Highgrove, for his first birthday, according to the Mirror.
“Given the hefty price tag, you’d expect this playhouse to be a bit more impressive than your usual children’s Wendy house,” the outlet said, using a term often used in the U.K. for a small playhouse for children—one that is large enough, though, for one or more children to enter. “With a wood-burning stove and a day bed, it’s safe to say that Prince George’s version is rather more upmarket.”
The expensive playhouse is installed in the garden of Charles’ country home, where now not only George but also his younger siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis play. It features a hand-built shepherd’s hut, a Victorian-style 12 foot by 6 foot playhouse and can be seen by visitors to the 15-acre gardens of Charles’ estate during a guided tour.
And, though the price tag is steep, it seems the playhouse may have been a gift: “The hut was presented to Prince George for his birthday from Dorset-based company Plankbridge as a thank you for funding received from the Prince’s Trust,” the Mirror reported.
And that’s not the only attraction for the three Cambridge kids in the Highgrove gardens—there’s also a treehouse that was built for the kids’ dad, Prince William, in 1989, when he was seven years old. The wooden house on slate stilts has since been refurbished by Charles for his grandchildren to play in, over 30 years later.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
This Week's Best On-Sale Picks Include a Tory Burch Bag and Pretty Silver Ballet Flats
Warm weather is finally here—it's time to dress like it.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
A Sporty It-Sneaker Era Is About to Begin
Nike's next Air models are designed for Olympic athletes, but they'll soon be all over street style.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
These Luxury Beauty Gifts Are Proven to Make Mom Feel Spoiled on Mother’s Day
The best in makeup, haircare, and skincare for your favorite woman.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
Prince William and Prince George Enjoy Boys' Night Out at Soccer Game
They cheered on their team.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
As Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis Absorb the News of Their Mother’s Cancer Diagnosis, a Longtime Family Friend Notes Their “Extraordinary Resilience”
The Wales family of five are taking time together privately as Princess Kate recovers.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Does Princess Kate’s Mother’s Day Photo Controversy Mean We Won’t Be Getting Personal Photos from the Wales Family Anymore?
It has become a cherished tradition over the years.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William and Prince George Both Wanted This “Dream Job”—and No, It’s Not Becoming King
Both father and son shared this career aspiration, but, alas, it’ll never happen for either of them.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Are Introducing Heir to the Throne Prince George to Royal Life in a Way That’s “Not Scary,” Royal Biographer Says
“There’s a lot of thought being given to it, which was not always the case.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince George Is Truly His Mother Princess Kate’s Son When It Comes to This Signature Hair Move
A viral TikTok—viewed 750,000 times and counting—shows the deep mother/son connection.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Princess Kate Had Her Heart Set on an Entirely Different Name for Prince George
We can’t imagine him as anything but George, but this name is pretty solid, too.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis Have Been Aware of Princess Kate’s Health Issues the Entire Time and “Will Get Through This Together”
Kensington Palace announced this morning that Kate had been discharged from The London Clinic after nearly two weeks there.
By Rachel Burchfield Published