The Prince of Wales has reportedly been hit with a royal riding ban, as Prince William is no longer permitted to use his electric scooter within the grounds of his family's new Windsor home.
A New Home with a Transport Hiccup
William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, have settled into their new residence, the Grade II-listed Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park. The couple, along with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, moved into the eight-bedroom Georgian mansion last year, leaving their previous home at Adelaide Cottage.
They have described the sprawling property on the 4,800-acre Berkshire estate as their 'forever home', seeking a fresh start for their young family. However, an unexpected rule has curtailed one of the future King's preferred modes of transport. Regulations for the royal park explicitly state that e-scooters 'are not permitted' within the grounds, citing safety and traffic management reasons.
From Castle Grounds to Park Ban
This new rule marks a significant change for William, who was a frequent and enthusiastic user of an e-scooter at the family's former Windsor residence. In July 2023, it was first reported he had purchased the scooter to speed up the three-mile round trip to see his father, King Charles, within the Windsor Castle estate, located just four miles from his current home.
An insider told The Sun: 'William used to love his e-scooter to get around the castle as there was no ban. But of course he's more than happy and prepared to adhere to the rules on e-scooters in Windsor Great Park.'
The Prince, a known advocate for environmentally friendly travel, has been spotted using the scooter on numerous occasions. He delighted onlookers in July 2024 when seen zooming around the royal residence, and famously used it to greet actor Eugene Levy during filming for an episode of The Reluctant Traveler on Apple+ in October of the same year.
A Fresh Start After Difficult Memories
The move to Forest Lodge represents more than just an upgrade in living space; it is a conscious step towards a new chapter. The family's time at cosy Adelaide Cottage was overshadowed by the profound sadness of Queen Elizabeth II's death in September 2022, just weeks after they relocated to Windsor to be closer to her.
A source explained the motivation for the move, stating: 'Adelaide Cottage really does have some difficult memories associated with it, sadly. They have experienced some of their most challenging times there... The family are really happy about this [move] and excited for a fresh start.'
While the e-scooter ban may be a minor inconvenience, the Wales family are said to feel thoroughly at home on the ancient estate. Kensington Palace has been approached for comment on the transport restriction.
