Prince William and Princess Kate are settling into their ‘forever home’, Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park. But they have faced some difficulties along the way…
The Wales family are gearing up for their first Christmas in their ‘forever home’, Forest Lodge. Their move signalled a fresh start for Prince William, Princess Kate and their three children, with their time at ‘cursed’ Adelaide Cottage beset by personal difficulties.
But it’s not been plain sailing for the royal couple. From neighbour complaints, festive frustrations, and the ongoing ‘Andrew issue’, William and Kate have had plenty to contend with in recent weeks.
Most recently, shoppers picking up a Christmas tree have vocalised their frustrations at a detour that has been put in place around Forest Lodge.
Local access routes have been limited to prevent people from driving directly in front of the royal eight-bedroom home. It means drivers heading to the yearly Christmas Tree Shop at Windsor Great Park now face being sent around a new circular route – making them travel more than an extra mile in total.
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One local told the Daily Mail: “A car was parked and running both days with what looked like two plain-clothes officers inside to prevent anyone going into the lodge’s grounds. The shop is right next door, so it is not surprising the Waleses are keeping an extra eye out in case anyone is tempted to take a peek.”
It’s not the first time the couple have faced the ire of nearby residents. In October, visitors to Windsor Park’s Cranbourne Gate came across a sign informing them that the entrance and its car park had been shut with immediate effect to accommodate a 2.3-mile, 150-acre fenced exclusion zone being created around Forest Lodge.
The new zone also has state-of-the-art CCTV and new hedges designed to ensure a level of privacy for the royals. According to reports, anyone found trespassing within the new area could face immediate arrest.
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Residents living within half a mile of the site had previously been able to hold keys to the gate for a fee of £110 a year.
But on September 22, Windsor Great Park wrote to those who pay for car park access, informing them of “important changes to access”.
“I’m pretty angry about it,” Robin Paulson, who has been riding in the grounds for years, told the Telegraph. “I think there are lots of other places they could have gone to live. I was excited when I heard they were moving there, but I always wondered how they would manage the security.
“They haven’t given us any warning or notice. And there hasn’t been any explanation other than it’s for security. I understand that, but it is disappointing when we have enjoyed the space for so long and it has been taken away from us. I wrote to Clarence House, but I don’t expect a reply.”
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And then there is Andrew. Future king William is known to have taken a strong stance on the decision to strip his uncle of his royal titles and honours. Having him as a neighbour, therefore, is far from ideal for the Wales family.
While Andrew is being evicted from the 30-room Royal Lodge, he is set to spend one final Christmas holed up at the 30-room mansion, just 1.4 miles from the Prince and Princess. He will then move to a much smaller property on the King’s private Sandringham estate without his former wife, Sarah Ferguson .
There is some relief ahead for the couple, however. They are expected to pack up and head to the King’s Sandringham estate for the royal family’s Christmas celebrations – something Andrew has been excluded from.
Upon their return, they can look forward to a new year and a fresh start with their young family.
