Prince William and Princess Kate Clash With Neighbors Over Fashion Show on Kensington Grounds
Prince William and Kate Middleton are preparing to move into Forest Lodge, their new 'forever home'. Currently, the Prince and Princess of Wales are staying in Adelaide Cottage, where they relocated from Kensington Palace in 2022. Recently, their former residence grabbed headlines after wealthy neighbors on the so-called 'Billionaire’s Row' complained against Burberry’s plan to stage a London Fashion Week show on Palace grounds. Locals argued that such a high-profile event could bring excessive noise and disruption to the area.
Luxury fashion house Burberry has applied to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for permission to erect a large marquee on Perks Field, a private lawn which is a part of William and Middleton's Palace gardens. The Daily Mail reports that neighbors are concerned about increased traffic, noise, and unnecessary litter in the affluent area. Residents are also concerned about the 'growing commercialization' of the site, which has previously hosted fashion shows in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Burberry, on the other hand, maintains that they have consulted the Crown Estate, the Royal Household, and the residents for the show before submitting their application. Kensington Palace Gardens, which borders Perks Field, is known as ‘Billionaires’ Row’ for housing multi-million-pound properties.
Among those filing objections to the Royal Borough are a residents' association and the High Commissioner of India. The High Commissioner of India wants noise kept to an 'acceptable level' as the property 'frequently hosts diplomatic engagements.' Another complaint has stressed that such fashion events are 'intrusive' and the posh enclave is already dealing with billionaire Foxtons estate agency founder Jon Hunt's controversial renovations. Hunt is allegedly not well-liked by neighbors over his four-storey basement, where he planned to have a display for his classic cars.
While William and Middleton have remained mum on the complaints, the brand reasserted that discussions with the Royal Household took place as part of its planning process. According to GB News, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea will decide on the application after considering objections from the authorities and residents. If approved, the Burberry show would form part of London Fashion Week’s official programme later this month, generating global media attention.
Interestingly, William and Middleton recently found themselves in another tiff involving residents living near Forest Lodge, their soon-to-be home. Tenants were allegedly being forced to move out to make way for the royal couple. The insider told the Daily Mail, "They were told they had to move. They were not expecting it. Those houses are very close to the lodge, so they're not going to want any Tom, Dick, or Harry living in those houses if there are going to be royals there." The source also claimed that "two separate families who lived in cottages next to the country mansion were asked to vacate their properties." The residence is currently undergoing renovations ahead of the family’s relocation.