Prince William and Princess Kate have drawn complaints from Windsor Great Park neighbours upset over a six-mile security barrier around their new Forest Lodge home, restricting public access to previously open areas for walking and riding, according to reports from The Mirror, The Mail on Sunday and GB News.
Neighbours of Prince William and Princess Kate in Windsor Great Park have voiced strong dissatisfaction with new security measures imposed around the couple’s recent home at Forest Lodge, including a six-mile barrier of fences, CCTV cameras and no-entry signs that block access to 150 acres of public land, as reported by The Mirror and The Mail on Sunday last month following the family’s move in November.
Neighbours Express Anger at Restricted Park Access
Local residents have labelled the security arrangements “excessive” and “selfish”, claiming they disrupt long-established routines for dog walking, horse riding and general exercise in Windsor Great Park, a 4,800-acre estate previously accessible for a £60 annual fee, according to The Mail on Sunday and Realitytea.com citing The Mirror.
According to The Mirror, a neighbour named Tina described the closure of Cranbourne Gate car park and land behind Forest Lodge as a “huge blow”, stating: “It’s clearly a selfish act, allowing a huge amount of public land to be closed.” She added that the royals gave “a second thought to the implications for others” and noted one local who cried upon learning of the restrictions.
Residents told The Mail on Sunday that alternative gates lack parking, with one saying: “They say you can use other gates but you can’t because there’s nowhere to park. We appreciate they need privacy, but it’s a real shame. We are absolutely gutted.” Another neighbour remarked: “It would have been decent of them to send a bottle of wine or something to apologise.”
Reporting by locals to GB News highlighted a permanently shut road forcing longer journeys and limitations on horse riding routes, though riders have avoided formal complaints due to reliance on Crown Estate permits.
As reported by Danielle Stacey for HELLO!, the measures include a “ring of steel” cordon with notices under Section 128 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 declaring trespass a criminal offence, enhancing privacy for Prince William, Princess Kate and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Historical Context of Royal Presence in Windsor Great Park
Prince William and Princess Kate relocated to Forest Lodge last month as their “forever home”, intending to remain there even after ascending the throne, while keeping proximity to Windsor Castle and Lambrook School, according to HELLO! and Marie Claire.
The family previously resided at Adelaide Cottage in the same park, maintaining a policy of no live-in staff, as royal biographer Ingrid Seward told HELLO!: “William and Kate have never wanted live-in staff; I think that’s the modern way.”
Security Decisions Driven by Home Office
The security perimeter, including the 2.3-mile to six-mile exclusion area, was authorised by the Home Office rather than directly by Prince William and Princess Kate, creating a 150-acre restricted zone previously open to the public, as detailed by Realitytea.com citing The Mirror and Marie Claire.
Palace Response Dismisses Reports of Royal Concern
A Palace insider told GB News there is “no factual basis” for claims that Prince William and Princess Kate feel “alarmed” or “unsettled” by the complaints, describing backlash as “minimal” and rubbishing suggestions of royal distress reported by The Mail.
According to Marie Claire, a royal source contradicted reports that the couple were “taken aback”, emphasising minimal complaints, while locals told The Mail on Sunday they felt “ambushed” without prior consultation and noted the royals “aren’t going to change their minds”.
Neighbours reported “zero” engagement from Palace officials to address concerns, per GB News, with some describing the provisions as “a blow” despite acknowledging privacy needs.
The security features, fitted with surveillance cameras and warning signs, carve through the park and prohibit entry, impacting daily access for those living nearby who have used the area for up to 20 years, as one resident told The Mail on Sunday: “We’ve lived here for 20 years, it’s lovely in there.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales continue residing at Forest Lodge with their three children, viewing it as an upsized family home offering more space away from palace walls, as HELLO! correspondent Danielle Stacey noted upon the move’s announcement.
Reports indicate no formal changes to the security setup or further outreach to locals have been announced, with complaints persisting from affected residents amid the royals’ settlement in the property.
