After nearly a year of relative quiet following the final episodes of Escape to the Chateau, Dick and Angel Strawbridge have broken their silence with an unexpected announcement that has sent their global fanbase into a whirlwind of excitement, curiosity, and speculation.

On February 2, 2026, the couple posted a short but emotionally charged video to their official Instagram and YouTube channels, filmed in the familiar grand hallway of the Chateau de la Motte-Husson in Pays de la Loire, France. In the clip, Dick and Angel stand side by side, the iconic double staircase and chandelier visible behind them, looking both reflective and energized.

“Life at the Chateau has been our greatest adventure,” Angel began, her voice steady but soft. “But adventures evolve. And so are we.”

The couple then revealed that they are preparing to “pass the keys” — not sell the property, but transition it into a new phase of life that involves a significant handover. After eight years of renovation, weddings, births, family milestones, and the global television phenomenon that made the 19th-century chateau famous, Dick and Angel confirmed they are stepping back from full-time residency. Instead, they plan to retain ownership while handing day-to-day operations and hospitality management to a trusted team that has worked with them for years — many of whom grew up on the estate or joined during the early renovation days.

The announcement includes a major twist: the chateau will remain open for a limited number of exclusive weddings, events, and small-scale retreats each year, but the Strawbridges themselves will no longer live on-site full-time. They intend to divide their time between France, a new family home in the UK countryside, and extended travel with their children — Arthur and Dorothy — who are now teenagers and beginning to forge their own paths.

“We’ve poured everything into this place,” Dick explained, gesturing to the walls around him. “But the children are growing up fast. They deserve to see more of the world, and we want to be there for those moments. The chateau isn’t going anywhere — it’s just time for the next chapter.”

The couple stressed that the estate will continue to be maintained to the same exacting standards they set, with the same family of gardeners, housekeepers, and event staff who have become like extended family. “We’re not walking away,” Angel added. “We’re stepping back so others can step forward. The chateau will always be home — just not our only home anymore.”

Fan reaction has been swift and emotional. Many longtime viewers expressed both sadness and understanding. “It’s the end of an era, but what an era it was,” one popular comment read. Others praised the couple’s honesty: “They could have kept milking the show forever. Instead they’re choosing real life with their kids. Respect.”

The announcement also puts to rest months of speculation that the chateau was being sold or that the family had quietly relocated permanently to the UK. The Strawbridges confirmed that no full sale is planned and that they will continue to oversee major decisions while allowing the team to run daily operations.

The couple teased that fans may see glimpses of this “new chapter” in future content — perhaps a short-form YouTube series or occasional updates — but emphasized that the era of weekly Escape to the Chateau episodes is over. “We’ve told our story here,” Dick said. “Now we’re going to live the next one.”

For a show that began as a renovation diary and grew into a global phenomenon inspiring thousands of people to pursue their own dreams of restoring old properties, the news feels like the natural — if bittersweet — conclusion to a remarkable journey.

As the chateau prepares for its next phase, one thing remains unchanged: the magic Dick and Angel created there will continue to inspire. The doors may be opening to new stewards, but the heart they poured into the place will never leave.