Since moving into Forest Lodge, their new residence on the Windsor estate, at the end of summer, Prince William and Princess Kate have stirred up discontent among their neighbors. The cause: a significant increase in security measures, which now deprives residents of access to several paths and green spaces previously open to the public.
While the royal couple hoped to start fresh after Princess Kate's battle with cancer, along with their three children, George (12), Charlotte (10), and Louis (7), they hadn't anticipated the impact of these security measures on the daily lives of the villagers. Since moving into Forest Lodge, several wooded areas accessible to the public have simply been made inaccessible. This has fueled the anger of many residents.
However, according to our colleagues at the Mail on Sunday, other measures have recently been taken to ensure the safety and comfort of the royal family. A new security perimeter, nearly 10 kilometers long, has reportedly been established around the entire property.
It is impossible for outsiders to cross this perimeter, which local residents see as a "security cordon." Fences have been erected, surveillance cameras installed, and signs indicating "Private Property" placed throughout. "We've lived here for 20 years, we're devastated," one resident reportedly told our colleagues. "We feel trapped."
A membership that's now useless
And for good reason: this perimeter also includes a local access road, as well as several hiking trails, which are now off-limits. Some residents used to pay an annual fee of around 70 euros for these trails. A membership that has now become completely obsolete.
While local residents remain furious, they also explain that they received no prior notification regarding these changes and regret the lack of consideration from the palace. No letter, no attempt at appeasement: "It would have been nice if they had sent a bottle of wine or something as an apology," another resident lamented.
It would seem that the tranquility hoped for by the royal couple near Windsor has yet to materialize…
