The Prince and Princess of Wales are facing a wave of local anger in Windsor after the imposition of a vast security cordon around their new family home has severely restricted public access to cherished parts of Windsor Great Park.
A 'Ring of Steel' and a Community Backlash
A six-mile perimeter of fencing, bristling with CCTV cameras and 'no entry' signs, now encircles Forest Lodge, the Grade II-listed Georgian mansion where William, Kate, and their three children moved during the last half-term holiday. The family, including Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, intend the eight-bedroom property to be their 'forever home', where they plan to remain even after ascending to the throne.
However, the so-called 'ring of steel' has not only placed the royal residence off-limits but has also carved a restrictive gouge through the historic parkland. Furious neighbours told The Mail on Sunday they felt 'absolutely gutted' and 'ambushed' by the measures, which were implemented without formal public consultation.
Park Access Blocked and Roads Closed
The security fence has rendered large swathes of the 4,800-acre Windsor Great Park out of bounds, disrupting decades of routine for dog walkers, horse riders, and local residents. One long-term local and dog walker lamented, 'We've lived here for 20 years, it's lovely in there. We appreciate they need privacy, but it's a real shame. We are absolutely gutted.'
Another resident criticised the 'excessive' measures, while others highlighted practical nightmares. A previously 'handy' local road cutting through the park has been permanently closed, forcing detours 'for miles'. Even a £60 access fee paid by those living within a mile of the park has been rendered useless by the new cordon. One such neighbour remarked, 'It would have been decent of them to send a bottle of wine or something to apologise.'
Legal Powers and Royal Reassurances
The area around Forest Lodge was designated an exclusion zone this autumn under an amendment to the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, making trespass a criminal offence. The Home Office stated no public consultation was required due to the site's sensitivity and its location on Crown land, with the boundary agreed alongside the Royal Household and Thames Valley Police.
While a royal source disputed there was a factual 'backlash', claiming complaints were minimal, local reports suggest 'zero' efforts by the Palace to mitigate the growing furore. In contrast, local Conservative MP Jack Rankin defended the measures as 'proportionate and necessary', citing the need for privacy for the young royal family. A spokesman for Prince William declined to comment, noting security is a matter for the Home Office.
The Waleses' move to the 328-year-old property, which features a ballroom, tennis court, and Venetian windows, marks a significant shift from their previous home at Adelaide Cottage, which required no major additional security. The controversy unfolds near Royal Lodge, home to the disgraced Duke of York, who faces eviction next year.
