Prince William and Kate Middleton branded 'selfish' over Forest Lodge move as locals left 'upset'
The couple reportedly relocated to the sprawling mansion last month
Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, have come under fire after relocating to Forest Lodge in Windsor, with locals branding the move “selfish” as it has cut off public access to large sections of Windsor Great Park.
The couple reportedly moved into eight-bedroom Forest Lodge in recent weeks. The house has been branded their “forever home”.
However, they have triggered some criticism over a controversial security exclusion zone that has shut off an estimated 150 acres of previously accessible land.
Prince William and Kate Middleton criticised over Forest Lodge move
One Windsor resident, who owns a home on the opposite side of Forest Lodge, told The Mirror that she and others were blindsided by the closures.
They reportedly received just three days’ notice before access to the beloved Cranbourne Gate area was permanently cut off.
The resident, who had walked her dog in the area for 15 years, said the closure felt like a “huge blow”. She explained that the couple’s exclusion zone is technically only two miles wide. But the resulting restrictions have pushed countless visitors out of their usual walking routes.
“More than half of Windsor Great Park is private. The public areas for walking are extremely precious,” she said, adding that the side of the park now accessible to her is mostly forested and already overcrowded on weekends.
The area that’s been lost, she notes, was ideal for letting dogs off-lead.
The emotional impact has been deep. She recalled walking the route one last time and meeting several tearful locals. One woman said she cried after reading the closure email.
“They were desperately upset,” the resident claimed.
A 2.3-mile “exclusion zone” was reportedly quietly imposed around Forest Lodge under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act. The area is now patrolled, monitored, and enforced by Thames Valley Police, reports claim. Anyone caught trespassing is at risk of arrest.
‘It’s clearly a selfish act’
“It’s clearly a selfish act,” the woman added. “I doubt they gave a second thought to the implications for others.”
She also stressed that it’s a “huge loss to me and many others”.
It comes after William and Kate moved from four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage to Forest Lodge.
In November, the Daily Mail reported that the Prince and Princess of Wales had thrown a thank you party for the builders and staff who worked hard to get them into their new home.
The new home has been described as the family’s “forever home”. It could even be the residence they remain in when William becomes king in the future.
Royal Insider has contacted reps for Kensington Palace for comment.
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