William and Kate’s Royal Lodge Move Has Neighbors in Tears: 'It’s Clearly a Selfish Act'

Prince William and Princess Kate are not off to a smooth start at their eight-bedroom 'forever home,' Forest Lodge. While neighbors were once eager to welcome them, their arrival has caused one issue after another. It began with excessive security cameras and rerouted paths, but matters have now escalated after they moved to take over an estimated 150 acres of previously accessible land.

Locals have branded the Waleses as 'selfish,' with public frustration boiling over after they blocked access to Windsor Great Park. Speaking to The Mirror, a nearby resident, Tina, who lives directly opposite Forest Lodge, described the move as unfair, saying she and others were blindsided by the sudden closure. She revealed that just three days before the gates were shut, residents received an email from authorities informing them that the beloved Cranbourne Gate area would no longer be accessible.

"It's clearly a selfish act, allowing a huge amount of public land to be closed, expecting other families to be evicted and increasing public costs so they have sufficient security living in an area which didn't have police protection before, I doubt they gave a second thought to the implications for others," said a clearly exasperated Tina. Although parking is still available at the Ranger's Gate car park, dog walkers will face the blow due to area restrictions.

Tina detailed that when she was on the run at the park to make the most of the remaining time, she saw that every regular was upset, and some were even in tears. "I ran into a woman there that I recognized, and she said to me that when she got the email, she cried. For people who have walked there for years, it's so sad." She is also frustrated by the fact that the park is not even owned by the royals but is under Crown Estate ownership, which is a public body. "They're supposed to manage the land in the national interest," she highlighted. Tina noted that it was the only available space for dog walkers as "more than half of Windsor Great Park is private." She wants William and Kate to realize how their move is negatively impacting everyone around them and come to their senses. 

This is not the first time their Forest Lodge neighbors have complained about the royals' extreme precautionary measures. Previously, a Christmas Tree Shop situated beside their home suffered a blow as new routes were installed, which needed visitors to follow a circular one-mile detour. Talking about its downside, a resident told Daily Mail, "I have already seen a few near misses where people have driven the wrong side of the cones."