King Charles Warns Visitors As He Faces Challenge at Beloved Royal Retreat: ‘Please Be Aware...’

King Charles owns several private estates where he often retreats to unwind in peace away from the public’s prying eyes. Among his most cherished is the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, the royal family’s traditional Christmas hideaway where they gather each year to celebrate and exchange gifts. Sandringham also welcomes visitors, with some parts of the estate remaining open throughout the year. Recently, the country retreat has faced an unexpected surge in wasp infestation, prompting the King to issue a warning for the safety of guests.

The Norfolk retreat has fallen prey to a major wasp infestation following the driest spring in 50 years, which created ideal breeding conditions for the insects. With tourism expected to rise during the warmer months, Sandringham has implemented strict measures to safeguard visitors. As reported by The Sun, a warning posted outside the estate reads, "Please be aware that wasp activity is currently high in this area." To reduce the risk, rubbish bins and dumpsters have been sealed or draped with cloth to deter swarms, while plastic wasp traps have been installed to capture the insects before relocating them elsewhere. Last month, the estate reportedly called in pest control services to remove three wasp nests discovered at the Royal Stud.

Discussing the serious infestation of wasps and bees at Sandringham, a source said, "King Charles is known for his love of the environment, but everyone is aware that too many wasps could be a problem for visitors. Wasps are a critical part of the ecosystem, and nobody wants to harm them." They continued, "This year there have been far more than is normal, which is why it is a challenge." Visitors to the house and gardens are also being cautioned not to set foot near rubbish receptacles. Meanwhile, the estate had closed its doors on August 14 to 18 due to the Heritage Live concert series.

According to the Royal Insider, ahead of the Heritage Concert, Sandringham estate announced on Instagram, "The Sandringham Estate will be closed to general visitors from 14th–17th August for Heritage Live’s concert series. This includes our Visitor Centre car parks and Courtyard facilities (including our café and restaurant). We look forward to welcoming visitors back from the 18th August onwards." The estate’s grounds hosted performances by renowned artists such as Mariah Carey, Pet Shop Boys, Michael Bublé, and Stereophonics.

King Charles has previously issued stern warnings to visitors after unexpected challenges have affected his cherished private residences. As per PEOPLE, on August 4, Balmoral Castle shared a similar notice on the monarch’s behalf via Instagram, which read, "Balmoral will be closed to the public today, Monday 4 August, due to Storm Floris. Please do not travel to the Estate. We will be issuing refunds for tickets to visit today. Stay safe, everyone." The King’s warning came after Storm Floris wreaked havoc across Scotland, Northern England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. Balmoral is the famous summer retreat of the royal family, where generations have spent their annual holidays together in privacy and tradition.