Prince William and Princess Kate are facing growing frustration from Windsor residents who say the couple’s decision to relocate has made everyday life more difficult for the community. The Prince and Princess of Wales recently moved from Adelaide Cottage to what they are calling their “forever home,” Forest Lodge, a shift that has prompted major changes across the Windsor area to ensure security for the couple and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
But according to locals, those security measures have come at a steep cost. One of the most vocal residents is Tina, who lives directly across from the new royal home. Speaking to The Mirror, she described widespread anger over restrictions introduced since the royal family’s move. She explained that people from all around the region have long relied on Windsor Great Park for recreation, using public paths and car parks that have always been accessible to everyone.
“Anyone can buy a pass to the Windsor Great Park car parks and walk in the public areas,” Tina said. “So, by closing Cranbourne Gate car park and an area of land behind the Forest Lodge about three times the size of St James’ Park, thousands of people from miles around have been affected.”
The area in question falls under the Crown Estate, which released a statement saying it is “minimising the impact on users of the park as far as possible.” Still, residents insist the impact has been far from minimal.
Tina did not hold back in her criticism of the royal couple. She said it was a “selfish” move that enclosed land locals had every right to enjoy. “Enclosing public land for the benefit of one couple is outrageous,” she said, calling the decision deeply unfair to the community that has used these spaces for decades.
She also issued an emotional appeal directly to the Prince and Princess of Wales, urging them to reconsider. Tina said she wants William and Kate to “open their eyes” and “realise the consequences of this move.” Her message reflects a broader sentiment among locals who feel that royal security should not come at the expense of public access to treasured community spaces.
Some residents argue that Forest Lodge’s location always made heavy restrictions inevitable, but they believe more should have been done to balance the needs of the royals with those of the public. The closure of Cranbourne Gate parking alone has caused significant inconvenience, forcing visitors to park farther away or avoid the park entirely.
Tina added that she hopes the disruption will one day end specifically when William ascends the throne. At that point, she expects the family to relocate again, ideally to a more traditional royal residence, freeing the land back up for public use. “I hope that when William becomes King, he and his family will leave the area in order to let the public use their own land,” she said.
The controversy highlights a tension the royal family has long had to navigate: maintaining necessary security measures while preserving a sense of openness and accessibility. For now, however, Windsor residents say the balance has shifted too far in the wrong direction, and they want their concerns addressed before the closures become permanent.
Whether the royal household will respond to the community’s complaints remains to be seen, but the plea from locals like Tina has added a new layer of public scrutiny to the Waleses’ highly publicised move.
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