Prince William is facing an angry backlash over a ‘ring of steel’ security zone imposed around his new home in Windsor.
A six-mile cordon has been thrown up around Forest Lodge – where the Prince of Wales now lives with his wife and children – with fencing bristling with CCTV cameras and ‘no entry’ signs.
But furious neighbours complain they have been ‘ambushed’ into accepting the measures, which have cut a gouge through Windsor Great Park.
Locals told The Mail on Sunday they felt ‘absolutely gutted’ about the effect the barrier around the Grade II-listed Georgian mansion has had on their lives.
The Prince and Princess moved into the 328-year-old, eight-bedroom property with George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, seven, during the last half-term holiday.
They intend it to be their ‘forever home’, where they will continue to live even after becoming King and Queen.
But the security fence, with its six-mile perimeter, has not only ruled swathes of Windsor Great Park out of bounds, but also blocked access to the rest of the land that locals have long enjoyed.
‘They say you can use other gates but you can’t because there’s nowhere to park,’ said one dog walker. ‘We’ve lived here for 20 years, it’s lovely in there.
‘We appreciate they need privacy, but it’s a real shame. We are absolutely gutted’.
Another local described the measures as ‘excessive’, saying: ‘It’s a blow, but they aren’t going to change their minds.’
The Prince and Princess of Wales intend for Forest Lodge to be their ‘forever home’, where they will continue to live even after becoming King and Queen
A six-mile cordon has been thrown up around Forest Lodge with fencing bristling with CCTV cameras and ‘no entry’ signs
Those living within a mile of the park can pay a £60 fee for access to parts of the land unavailable to other visitors – but the new cordon has rendered that useless.
One neighbour who had enjoyed such access told this newspaper: ‘It would have been decent of them to send a bottle of wine or something to apologise.’
The Waleses’ new property features a ballroom and a tennis court with rooms boasting elaborate cornicing, Venetian windows, marble fireplaces and vaulted ceilings.
The family previously lived in Adelaide Cottage, which is three miles away and backs on to 650 acres of private gardens adjoining Windsor Castle.
It did not require any major additional security arrangements.
The couple’s property portfolio also includes their 21-room London base, Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace, ten-bedroom Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk and Tam Na Ghar, a cottage at Balmoral inherited from the Queen Mother.
One source claimed that the Windsor backlash has alarmed the royal couple – although this was disputed by Palace sources.
Horse-riders have also complained about the restrictions imposed on their gallops, but are understood not to have formally objected because they rely on the Crown Estate, which owns and manages the 4,800-acre park, for access passes.
Other issues that have irritated Windsor residents include the permanent closure of a ‘handy’ local road that cuts through the previously accessible park. Residents now have to detour ‘for miles’ to go about their day.
The Waleses’ new property features a ballroom and a tennis court with rooms boasting elaborate cornicing, Venetian windows, marble fireplaces and vaulted ceilings
The security fence has not only ruled swathes of Windsor Great Park out of bounds, but also blocked access to the rest of the land that locals have long enjoyed
According to those most affected, there have been ‘zero’ efforts by the Palace to reach out to them and try to mitigate the growing furore over the disruptions.
For centuries, Windsor Great Park was the private hunting grounds of Windsor Castle, built by William The Conqueror and subsequently expanded.
Most of the features in the park date from the 17th Century when it was enhanced by Charles II. He built the famous Long Walk to the Castle, which is typically thronged with crowds during events such as Royal weddings and state funerals.
The park remained the personal fiefdom of the monarch until George III handed over control of crown lands to Parliament in exchange for the annual civil list payment in 1760.
The Waleses aren’t the only royals who hoped to make the Great Park their forever home.
Disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor currently lives in the 30-room Royal Lodge just two-and-a-half miles away.
However he has just spent his last Christmas there after his spectacular downfall over ties to billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
He will be kicked out at the end of next year and forced to move to a property on the Sandringham Estate.
Also being evicted is Sarah Ferguson, who also currently lives at the Royal Lodge.
After her divorce from Andrew she demanded to move into Forest Lodge but that was vetoed by the late Prince Phillip, who was Warden of the Great Park. King Charles now undertakes this ceremonial role, which dates from 1559.
Parts of Windsor Great Park have been closed off to dog walkers, horse riders and members of the public, leaving some with a four mile detour to undertake
Disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor currently lives in the 30-room Royal Lodge just two-and-a-half miles away
The area surrounding Forest Lodge was made an exclusion area by the Home Office this autumn under an amendment order to the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.
The change in law made trespassing there a criminal offence – rather than a civil matter – giving police powers of arrest even when no other offence has been committed.
The boundary was agreed in liaison with the Royal Household and Thames Valley Police.
When the order was imposed, the Home Office said: ‘No formal public consultation was required, nor has any formal written consultation taken place, due to the sensitivities of the site and it being located on Crown land.’
Last night, Jack Rankin, the Conservative MP for Windsor, argued that the security measures were proportionate and necessary, particularly given the ages of the couple’s children.
He said: ‘Of course, our unique royal connection brings some disruption and added security measures. But we understand that, and we also appreciate why the Prince in particular wants privacy for his young family.
‘Both the Crown Estate and the Royal Household work hard to minimise the impact and communicate with us excellently.’
A spokesman for Prince William declined to comment on security matters, which are the responsibility of the Home Office.
But a royal source said: ‘There is no factual basis for describing this as a ‘backlash’. Complaints have been minimal.
‘It would be inaccurate to claim that Their Royal Highnesses have been taken aback.’
