Britain’s Duchess of Cambridge’s childhood church is being turned into a boarding school.
The 32-year-old royal was christened at St. Andrew’s church in Bradfield, West Berkshire, in the 1980s but it has now closed its doors after an "emotional" last service as it has been sold to Bradfield College, the Daily Express newspaper reports.
Secretary for The Friends of Bradfield Village, Liz Sale said: "People are really upset because it’s clearly been going on a long time between the diocese, Bradfield College and our vicar, but nothing has been said to the people that live here."
Right Reverend Andrew Proud, the Bishop of Reading, conducted the last service as the 14th Century church’s bells rang out for a final time after 160 years of worship.
The decision to sell the Grade II listed building came after heating the church – which is seen by many as "too big" for the number of worshippers that use it – became too expensive to maintain, with maintenance costs reaching an estimated £1.5 million.
However, money from the sale is expected to go towards the renovation of St. Peters church in the nearby Bradfield Southend, which has seen its congregation grow.
Duchess of Cambridge’s family church sold
