Security Zone Around Forest Lodge Sparks Backlash
The Prince and Princess of Wales moved into Forest Lodge—a Grade II-listed Georgian mansion—in October, along with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
The eight-bedroom property, significantly larger than their previous home Adelaide Cottage, is widely expected to serve as their “forever home,” even when William eventually takes the throne.
But their arrival has triggered frustration locally. A 150-acre restricted zone has been set up around the estate, blocking off access to a nearby Christmas tree shop traditionally visited by locals during the holiday season. Traffic cones, security teams, and patrols mean residents must take a lengthy one-mile detour, and those who ignore the restrictions risk legal consequences.
Huge fences, CCTV systems, and stationed guards now surround the property. Under UK law, trespassing on Crown Estate land can result in a fine or even prison time.
Claims of Forced Relocation and Local Disruption
Reports from August indicated that two families living in cottages close to Forest Lodge were asked to relocate before the Wales family moved in. While no eviction notices were issued and both families were offered comparable or better homes within the Crown Estate, the move still raised eyebrows.
Combined with the new security rules, these changes have led to criticism that the royals’ presence is intruding on local life.
Republic CEO Accuses William of Overreach
Graham Smith, who leads the anti-monarchy group Republic, argued that the Prince of Wales is overstepping his authority.
“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. It’s not his to do what he wants with,” he told Newsweek.
Smith continued, “He’s also forced two people, two families to move out of their homes… this is just another example of William sticking two fingers up to local people and 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.”
Some Locals Defend the Security Measures
Not everyone is upset. Others in the community said they fully understand the reasoning behind the restrictions.