Queen to give Sandringham cottage to Duke of Cambridge for 30th birthday It was described by King George V as "the place I love better than anywhere in the world." The main house is at the centre of the 8,000-hectare estate, 240 hectares of which are open to the public. There are 150 properties on the estate, and it is not clear which will be given to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Alongside the cottage, the Duke also received £10 million from his mother's estate for his 30th birthday. The inheritance has fuelled rumours that the Duke will build a property in which he could raise a family. But a royal aide has insisted there will be no obvious change to Prince William's lifestyle over the coming weeks or months. He said last week: "There has been speculation about the Duke and Duchess having a house built but there are no plans for that at all. In her will, Diana, Princess of Wales, stipulated that her estate, which comprised stocks and shares, jewellery, cash from her £17m divorce settlement, dresses and other personal belongings, should be held in trust to be shared equally between her two sons. According to aides, the Duke is celebrating his birthday in a low-key and private fashion. Since their wedding last year, the Duke and Duchess have made a rented farmhouse on Anglesey their home, as well a London base in Kensington Palace.