Topics: Prince William, Kate Middleton, Royal Family, UK News
Prince William and Kate Middleton have reportedly sparked anger among Windsor residents with the latest renovations to their new home.
The couple, along with their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, are in the process of moving house to an eight-bedroom property in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire.
The family-of-five have lived in their current home, Adelaide Cottage - a four-bed royal residence in Windsor Home Park - since 2022.
Last month, an insider told the BBC that the final renovations were underway at the new property, Forest Lodge, and that the family are looking to move in before Christmas.
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However, the Prince and Princess of Wales have reportedly come under fire by local residents for the move after a 'no-go zone' was installed around the home.
According to The Times, a barrier has been erected and CCTV cameras have been installed to protect the privacy of the royal couple.
However, this means that those who enter a large area around the home, will be arrested under the Home Office’s security plans.
The exclusion area in question allegedly spans a 2.3-mile perimeter covering 150 acres, meaning locals will no longer be able to go for a stroll in this section of land or walk their dog.
The public access became restricted for the first time on Sunday (28 September) and contractors were seen erecting fence posts barring access to the park via Cranbourne Gate.
On top of this, a car park, which locals usually pay £110 to use, shut its doors at 7pm that evening.
But, according to the publication, it was only last week that those who pay for car park access to Windsor Great Park were informed of the changes.
They were sent a letter which explained: "We appreciate that for some members they may wish to cancel their membership - if this is the case then please contact the membership team to discuss further.”
While signs have also been erected in the local area, with one reading: "Due to the pending designation of part of the Great Park as an exclusion area, access via Cranbourne Gate will permanently cease."
Among the security measures are reportedly extra trees to obscure the house and specialist CCTV cameras.
As we say, locals are not too impressed and have described the move as a 'kick in the teeth'.
One woman from Winkfield told The Sun: "Many of us have been walking our dogs here for 20 years, so to be told we can’t any more is a kick in the teeth. We pay annually towards the upkeep of a park, but we are no longer going to be allowed to use part of it."
The local resident added: “They’ve only given us a few days’ notice to say this section of forest is closing forever. Now I’ll need to get in my car to drive further afield to take my dog for a walk.”
However, another resident who regularly walks his dog in the park, said he understands the need for the security measures.
Tom Bunn, 32, from Maidenhead, told The Times: “Obviously, it’s disappointing as my dog loves it here. We come here every couple of weeks, and we’re going to have to find somewhere else now for him to get the miles in.
"But I completely understand that the safety of William, Kate, and their family is paramount, so we should make sure they can live happily here.”
Kensington Palace declined to comment on the matter.
It's also not the first time the move has sparked backlash, after William and Kate were accused of 'forcing' surrounding Windsor neighbours out of their homes.
A royal insider reportedly told the Daily Mail of the neighbours: "They were told to move out. I guess they were given somewhere else, but they were told they had to move."
They added: "They were not expecting it. Those houses are very close to the lodge, so they’re not going to want any Tom, Dick or Harry living in those houses if there are going to be royals there."
That said, however, such reports have not been officially confirmed by the Royal Family and after contacting Kensington Palace, Tyla understands no eviction notices have been served.
