Security enhancements around Prince William and Princess Kate’s new Windsor home, Forest Lodge, have drawn complaints from local residents. The perimeter now features CCTV cameras, extensive fencing, and landscaping, restricting access to the family’s eight-bedroom residence.
The closure affects a car park and gate at Windsor Great Park, previously used by locals for £110 a year. An official notice stated that access via Cranbourne Gate “will permanently cease” as part of a 150-acre exclusion zone. Trespassers may face arrest under Home Office regulations.
Residents expressed frustration at losing a long-used walking area. Tom Bunn, 32, said his dog enjoyed the park but acknowledged the family’s security needs. Another local from Winkfield described the closure as a “kick in the teeth,” noting the limited notice and need to drive further for walks.
Wooden fences and newly planted trees have been installed for privacy, while special CCTV cameras monitor the grounds. Public consultation was not held, as Crown land occupied by the King or his heir is protected under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.
The security minister, Dan Jarvis, explained the designation reflects the home’s new status as a protected principal residence within Crown Land, aligning it with other royal properties.
Prince William, Princess Kate, and their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—are expected to move to Forest Lodge from Adelaide Cottage by year-end. The family also maintains their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, and a Kensington Palace apartment for official use.
The relocation marks a fresh chapter for the Waleses after recent family health challenges, including Kate’s cancer remission and ongoing treatment for King Charles III.
