Prince William Issues Statement After Duchy of Cornwall Got Branded ‘Arrogant’ by Residents
Just days after his move to Forest Lodge drew criticism over strict security measures, Prince William is facing the public's wrath once again, this time over his Duchy of Cornwall estate. Homeowners on the outskirts of a Dorset town near the Duchy have branded it 'arrogant' after paying premium prices for uninterrupted countryside views, only to see developers plant trees that now block them. Furious residents have condemned the move as 'sheer arrogance' from the Duchy, which manages the development on behalf of King Charles and William.
One of the Dorset residents, Ian Hacker, revealed that he had made several attempts to obtain landscaping details from the Duchy office but was 'repeatedly ignored.' He ranted that a tree had been planted far too close to his home, causing issues with his insurance policy. Hacker explained to The Daily Express, "The tree in front of our house was not put in the position indicated on the plan and marked with a red circle. The tree is also only just 4.2m from our property, thus invalidating our insurance." The trees in question are said to be bird cherry trees, which can grow up to 82 feet tall with a spread of about 26 feet at full maturity. These sizable plantings have created what critics are calling a 'curtain' of vegetation, blocking previously open views.
In response to the backlash, a spokesperson for the Duchy said, "Following approval and as part of ongoing work with the Dorset Council Highways department, a retrospective minor amendment to the planning consent was submitted and the trees were established within the 2024/2025 planting season. The bird cherry trees were selected as appropriate for the location to meet Highway Department requirements and species resilience." Tensions rose further because the Duchy reportedly applied for permission to change the tree species only after the planting had already been done during the 2024/25 season.
This is not good news for William, who became the Duke of Cornwall in 2022, taking over management of the Duchy after Charles became King. The Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate that dates back to 1337, when King Edward III created it for his son, Prince Edward, known as the Black Prince. According to the original charter, the title of Duke of Cornwall is passed down to the monarch's eldest son and heir to the throne, granting the Prince of Wales sole ownership.
The Prince of Wales has also sparked public fury, with residents near his new Windsor home dubbing him a 'hypocrite' over his upcoming move to Forest Lodge. On October 6, The Telegraph reported that the surroundings of Forest Lodge are heavily secured, with hoardings, cameras, and a 150-acre 'no-go' zone restricting access. One of the residents, who chose to stay anonymous, ranted, "[The Royal family] encourages us to go out in the fresh air, and then they’re restricting us. It’s hypocritical."