Tensions between the family and their neighbours had already been rising due to heightened security measures in the area such as the installation of cameras
Prince William and Kate Middleton are facing fresh criticism from their neighbours, who say new security measures around Forest Lodge have caused major disruption during the busy Christmas tree season.
Residents claim an expanded perimeter around the royal couple’s home has forced drivers onto an unnecessary one-mile diversion to reach a popular Christmas tree shop, with some accusing the pair of an “abuse of power.” The Christmas Tree Shop, which sits on land next to William and Kate’s home, attracts hundreds of visitors each year in the run-up to the holiday.
The trees are grown on the estate, and access had previously been straightforward. After the Wales family moved in, however, new traffic cones and a revised route were introduced to stop vehicles passing directly by their residence.
Drivers must now follow a circular detour to reach the site. Two royal security officers are said to be stationed in the car park during opening hours.
One resident said, “I have already seen a few near misses where people have driven the wrong side of the cones.”
Chief executive of the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic, Graham Smith, also questioned whether the royal couple should have the authority to alter access routes on public land.
He told Newsweek: “The Christmas trees issue might seem silly, but the point is this is all public property and William should not have been able to close those roads and close access to that land.”
He added: “This is just another example of William just basically sticking two fingers up to local people and then just grabbing land that isn’t his just so that he can move from one house to another. So it’s just an abuse of power and privilege for me.”
Tensions between the Wales family and their neighbours had already been simmering. Before the couple relocated to Forest Lodge in November, the surrounding area was routinely used by locals.
It has since been secured with cameras, hoardings and a 150-acre restricted zone.
One resident told The Telegraph: “I’m totally in favor of protecting the royal family against idiots who might try to shoot at them or take photographs. But the house is very far away, they’ve put a huge fence around it, and there are lots of cameras in the fields. We’re not impressed, I’m afraid.”
Concerns were also raised in September when reports surfaced that several tenants living close to the lodge had been asked to vacate their homes.
An insider told the Daily Mail: “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.”
Public access around the area is expected to be permanently restricted once the location is formally designated under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.
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