For many, going to pick out a tree is one of the best festive traditions.
But for families hoping to get theirs at a shop close to the Prince and Princess of Wales‘ new Windsor mansion – it might turn into a nightmare before Christmas this year.
The Christmas Tree Shop, which opened on Thursday, traditionally sits on land next to the Waleses’ new house.
Its trees are grown on the estate and they attract hundreds of punters every year in the run up to December 25.
But access routes have been limited to prevent people from driving right in front of the royal eight-bedroom home, which the family relocated to from nearby Adelaide Cottage. Cars now face being diverted around a new circular route – more than a mile detour in all.
Traffic cones have been placed to ensure shoppers obey the new rules. The temporary road layout seems to have brought chaos, however.
A local resident said: ‘I have already seen a few near misses where people have driven the wrong side of the cones.’
Two royal security officers have also been stationed in the shop’s car park to prevent intruders during operating hours.
The Princess and Princess of Wales have now moved into their new Windsor mansion with their three children
The Christmas Tree Shop, which opened on Thursday, traditionally sits on land next to the Waleses’ new house
However, access routes have been limited to prevent people from driving right in front of the royal eight-bedroom home, meaning cars now face being diverted around a new circular route – more than a mile detour in all
Another resident said: ‘A car was parked and running both days with what looked like two plain-clothes officers inside to prevent anyone going into the lodge’s grounds.
The shop is right next door, so it is not surprising the Waleses are keeping an extra eye out in case anyone is tempted to take a peek.’
If Christmas trees grown next to a royal property isn’t enough, however, how about stockings made from recycled curtains once hung in Sandringham?
Starting today, an online auction will see 24 of the decorations sold – each originating from gold damask drapes found in the Royal Family’s Norfolk retreat.
But the 25th and final stocking is reserved as a gift for the King to hang up himself. The initiative has been organised by the King’s Foundation, the charity inspired by Charles’ work to create sustainable communities and protect heritage arts and crafts. More than 15,000 students each year benefit from its courses.
The Sandringham fabric was transported to Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland, where the Dumfries House Sewing Bee community group transformed the cuttings into stockings. More than six hours’ work went into making each decoration.
Sarah McClymont, lead tutor for The King’s Foundation’s Future Textiles initiative, said: ‘This was such an exciting project for the Sewing Bee to work on.
‘Being given the opportunity to work with such historically significant fabric was a real honour for them and they are so proud of how the stockings turned out.
‘We hope that whoever is lucky enough to win a stocking will pass it down as a family heirloom to be treasured for decades to come.’
