Prince William and Kate Middleton Told to Be ‘Prepared’ as Adelaide Cottage Faces Wildfire Threat
From heatwaves to storms and tsunamis, the summer of 2025 is proving that even royals can’t escape nature’s extremes. After Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Montecito home faced tsunami alerts in the US and King Charles’s beloved Balmoral faced closure after Storm Floris, it’s now Prince William and Princess Kate's Adelaide Cottage that's hit with an amber alert.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an alert for extreme heat across large parts of the country. While sunshine might be welcome news for many, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has warned that it also brings a heightened risk of wildfires, particularly for people living near large green spaces. That includes Adelaide Cottage, the family’s home on the Great Windsor Estate. Vast open lawns and nearby parkland can quickly become tinder-dry in hot conditions, causing fire hazards. Carelessly discarded cigarette butts and ill-placed barbecues are among the biggest culprits. In recent weeks, wildfires have broken out in places such as Dorset and Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh.
“These fires are a stark reminder that the UK is not immune to the dangers of extreme heat,” said Steve Cole, RoSPA’s Director of Policy, HELLO! reported. “With temperatures soaring and vegetation drying out, the risk of wildfires increases dramatically, even in urban and coastal areas. The fact is that many wildfires are preventable. Simple actions—like properly disposing of cigarettes and avoiding open flames—can make a huge difference.”
Cole also pointed to climate change as a driving factor behind hotter, longer summers and more frequent extreme weather events. Charles is already north of the border, but he’s not entirely on holiday. Just last week, he attended a Stand-Up Parade for Number 42 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron at R.A.F. Lossiemouth.
Extreme weather hasn’t been confined to the UK’s shores. Across the Atlantic, Harry faced a different calamity when Los Angeles residents were warned of possible rough seas and even tsunamis following a major earthquake in Russia. Fortunately, no damage or dangerous waves occurred.
Similarly, in Scotland, Storm Floris recently forced the closure of Balmoral Estate, Charles’s beloved summer retreat, after bringing damaging winds to Scotland, Northern England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. The Met Office had warned of gusts reaching 50–70 mph inland and up to 90 mph along exposed coasts and hills, PEOPLE reported.
Balmoral’s unexpected shutdown has cut short the public’s final opportunity to visit the estate before its planned seasonal closure, when the royal family traditionally arrives for their summer break. Since April 1, visitors have been able to explore the castle’s grounds, gardens, and exhibitions through ticketed entry, with the season originally set to wrap up next Sunday. Now, Balmoral is closed to the public once again. In an Instagram post on Monday, August 11, the estate announced: “Balmoral Castle, including the grounds, gardens, and exhibitions, is now closed to the public. Thank you to everyone who visited during the 2025 summer season. We hope you enjoyed your visit and left with memories to last a lifetime.”