The Prince and Princess of Wales have finally relocated to the Forest Lodge, a eight-bed mansion surrounded by woodlands in Windsor Great Park – but the move has been met with a few controversies
Princess Kate and Prince William have secured a ‘dream’ move to a £16 million mansion – but their relocation has not been without its share of controversies.
The Prince and Princess of Wales recently took up residence with their three children George, Charlotte and Louis at the Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom Georgian mansion surrounded by woodlands in the 4,800-acre Windsor Great Park.
It’s a short distance away from Adelaide Cottage, their previous home, which the family moved into back in 2022 after leaving Kensington Palace to create a more relaxing family environment for the children.
Royal observers say the property is perfect for Kate and William’s young family, and is likely to be a ‘forever home’ they stick with forever – but setting up there has not passed without incident for the royal couple, with a few controversies cropping up along the way.
Everything you need to know
- Public Access & Car Park Closures: Local residents are said to be “furious” after a popular car park and entrance at Windsor Park’s Cranbourne Gate were shut with immediate effect to create a 2.3-mile, 150-acre exclusion zone around the home. Residents who paid £110 annually for access keys complained they were given no warning or explanation beyond “security,” feeling a beloved space has been “taken away.”
- Christmas Tree Shop Detours: Festive shoppers visiting the Christmas Tree Shop at Windsor Great Park now face a mile-long diversion. Local access routes were recently limited to stop cars driving past the royal home, leading to complaints about the inconvenience and claims of “chaos” on the new circular route.
- “No-Go zone” & security measures: The new exclusion zone includes state-of-the-art CCTV, new privacy hedges, and warnings of immediate arrest for trespassers. One local noted plain-clothes officers in parked cars monitoring the area.
- Awkward proximity to Andrew: The move places the couple just 1.4 miles from Royal Lodge, where the former Prince Andrew is staying for one final Christmas before his eviction. This proximity is described as a “nightmare” and “far from ideal” given William’s strong stance against his uncle.
- Lack of communication: Long-time users of the park, such as horse riders, expressed anger at the lack of consultation. One resident mentioned writing to Clarence House to complain about the sudden closures but noted they “don’t expect a reply,” highlighting a perceived disconnect between the royals and the local community.
