The Prince and Princess of Wales are preparing for their first festive season in their new Windsor home, but the move to Forest Lodge has not been without its challenges. Prince William and Princess Kate, alongside their three children, have encountered a series of local frustrations and security impositions as they settle into the property within Windsor Great Park.
Festive Frustrations and Security Measures
Most recently, locals visiting the annual Christmas Tree Shop at Windsor Great Park have voiced their annoyance at a new traffic detour. To prevent vehicles from driving directly past the royal couple's eight-bedroom home, authorities have implemented a circular route. This diversion adds more than an extra mile to the journey for shoppers.
One resident reported to the Daily Mail that a car with plain-clothes officers was stationed to deter anyone from entering the lodge's grounds, given the shop's proximity. This is part of broader security enhancements around Forest Lodge, which include a 2.3-mile, 150-acre fenced exclusion zone equipped with state-of-the-art CCTV and new hedging. Trespassers within this zone now risk immediate arrest.
Neighbourhood Backlash Over Access
The security overhaul has significantly impacted long-standing local access rights. In October, the closure of Cranbourne Gate and its car park was announced with immediate effect. This move particularly affected residents who, for an annual fee of £110, previously held keys to the gate.
Robin Paulson, a regular rider in the grounds, expressed his anger to The Telegraph, stating he felt the changes were implemented without sufficient warning or explanation beyond security needs. "I think there are lots of other places they could have gone to live," he said, highlighting the disappointment of losing access to cherished local space.
The Lingering 'Andrew Issue'
Compounding the domestic challenges is the ongoing situation with the Duke of York. Prince William, a future monarch known for his firm stance on his uncle's removal from royal duties, now finds himself living just 1.4 miles from the disgraced prince. Andrew is set to spend one final Christmas at the nearby 30-room Royal Lodge before his eviction and subsequent move to a smaller property on the King's Sandringham estate.
However, the Wales family can anticipate some respite. They are expected to join the wider royal family for Christmas celebrations at Sandringham, an event from which Andrew has been excluded. Upon their return to Windsor in the new year, they hope to fully embrace the fresh start Forest Lodge was meant to symbolise.
