Prince William and Princess Kate are recently inaugurated, preparing their relocation to Forest Lodge. This beautiful Grade II-listed Georgian town house, just around the corner from Adelaide Cottage, is where they plan to move in by Christmas. Their new home is now completely enclosed by a high wooden fence. It cuts off the nearby woods and green space, creating both a physical and symbolic divide in the city. This step had received mixed reactions from local residents, especially dog walkers who often used that portion of the area.
Forest Lodge has a total area of 150 acres, with a perimeter of 2.3 miles. To further protect the royal family’s privacy, the lodge will be subject to further changes. We’ve planted over 60 trees around the property, quickly transforming the area into a green oasis. In addition, we’ll be putting up signage around the perimeter letting visitors know they’re entering a no trespassing zone. The pair desires a more protected and intimate space. They say they’re making this decision primarily in the interests of their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The move to Forest Lodge is remarkable not just for its architectural importance, but for the context of its timing. In recent months, both King Charles and Princess Kate have faced health challenges. Princess Kate announced in January that she is in remission from cancer, while King Charles, 76, continues receiving treatment. A source revealed to HELLO!’s Tracy Schaverien that the move represents an opportunity for the couple to “leave some of the more unhappy memories behind.”
The alterations around Forest Lodge have alarmed many of local residents. The closure of the car park and gate access to Windsor Great Park, which locals paid £110 a year to use, has particularly affected dog walkers who relied on the area for walks.
“Many of us have been walking our dogs here for 20 years so to be told we can’t any more is a kick in the teeth,” said a woman from nearby Winkfield. “We pay annually towards the upkeep of a park but we are no longer going to be allowed to use part of it. They’ve only given us a few days’ notice to say this section of forest is closing forever. Now I’ll need to get in my car to drive further afield to take my dog for a walk.”
The choice to move is indicative of Prince William and Princess Kate’s enduring ties to Crown Land inside Windsor. The royal couple will retain their Norfolk country residence, Anmer Hall. In addition, they will keep an apartment in Kensington Palace, where they continue to host official events and meetings.
“Obviously it’s disappointing as my dog loves it here. We come here every couple of weeks and we’re going to have to find somewhere else now for him to get the miles in,” he noted. “But I completely understand the safety of William, Kate and their family is paramount so we should make sure they can live happily here.”
The royal family as they prepare for their next adventure at Forest Lodge. The adjacent local community continues to face the consequences of increased security measures and access limitations. The duality of the overarching goal of safety for the royals and the protection of local demands is still a fine balance today.
As the royal family prepares for their new chapter at Forest Lodge, the surrounding community grapples with the implications of increased security measures and access restrictions. The duality of providing safety for the royals while considering local needs remains a delicate balance.
