Prince William has faced an unexpected royal decree of his own after moving into his family's 'forever home' – a strict ban on using his favoured mode of transport, the e-scooter.
A Passion Parked by Park Rules
The Prince of Wales, 43, has been barred from whizzing around the grounds of his new residence, Forest Lodge, on his electric scooter. The future King is a known enthusiast for the two-wheeled devices and was frequently seen riding his e-scooter across the expansive 4,800-acre Windsor Castle Estate when the family lived at Adelaide Cottage.
He was even captured on television using it to get around, most memorably when he arrived to meet Canadian actor and comedian Eugene Levy. That moment was featured in Levy's docuseries, The Reluctant Traveller, where William cheerfully explained, "It is round here. It gets around quite nicely around here, it's quite fun."
Why the Sudden Ban at Forest Lodge?
The prohibition stems from the location of his new home. Forest Lodge is situated within the historic Windsor Great Park, which enforces clear rules against motorised personal transport. The park's regulations explicitly state that aside from cyclists, the roads are reserved for residents and Estate workers.
The rules list specific examples of prohibited vehicles, including:
- E-scooters
- Hoverboards
- One-wheels
This means William's convenient and fun method of zipping across the vast grounds has been effectively vetoed at his new property.
William's Acceptance of the New Rules
Despite this being a blow to his daily routine, the Prince is reportedly accepting of the regulations. A source told The Sun that William "used to love his e-scooter to get around the castle as there was no ban." However, they added, "he’s more than happy and prepared to adhere to the rules on e-scooters in Windsor Great Park."
The move to Forest Lodge, which came after a probe into the lease arrangements for the property, is intended to be the long-term home for William, the Princess of Wales, and their three children. While it offers a permanent base for the family, it seems the Prince will have to find a new, rule-compliant way to navigate the picturesque parkland surrounding his forever home.
