Improvement works have continued on Prince William and Kate Middleton's country residence in Norfolk, with the latest renovation focused on the roof.Builders have spent weeks removing the old tiles on the roof of Anmer Hall, the royal couple's second home, to replace them with bright brick-red slates.
© Photo: Getty ImagesLocal residents who live close to the ten-bedroom Georgian mansion, however, are said to have expressed concern about the period property's new appearance. "The building dates back to the early 1800s but it looks more like a Barratt home now," said one disgruntled neighbour. "It's not an eyesore but it does look completely different. "Anmer Hall is just one of the magnificent buildings that form part of the Queen's 20,000-acre Sandringham estate, and Her Majesty is expected to be footing the bill for the red roof and other reworks.
© Photo: PAThe renovations on William and Kate's country escape started in September, just two months after Prince George was born, to provide greater security and privacy for the young family.A garden room will be built onto the existing kitchen at the side of the house, with a pergola added over a patio next to it to give the royal couple added privacy.A wood store on the grounds is being converted into a sitting room and lavatory, perhaps for William and Kate's police protection officers, while two berths in a four-block garage will be turned into an "equipment room".Extra trees will also be planted around the house to screen it from view, and a new gate across what is currently a public road will be built, for use by the royal couple only.
© Photo: PAPrince George will have plenty of green space to enjoy as he grows up in the grounds of Anmer Hall, which is located just two miles east of Sandringham House, where the royal family gather every Christmas.The hall's former tenant of 13 years, company director James Everett and his family, moved out of the property shortly after the summer.William and Kate will continue to use their newly refurbished home in Kensington Palace, Apartment 1A, as their main residence. The 21-room property includes staff quarters, a nursery, extensive living quarters, entertaining space and a walled garden.
