By Katherine Tinsley
1:27pm PDT, Oct 1, 2025
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"Due to the pending designation of part of the Great Park as an exclusion area, access via Cranbourne Gate will permanently cease," a new order read.
The land surrounding Forest Lodge was initially open for neighbors to use, but
Prince William and Kate Middleton won't be allowing people to access the acreage near their mansion when they take over the residence.
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"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," one resident told
Daily Express.
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"We pay annually toward the upkeep of a park, but we are no longer going to be allowed to use part of it," another one of
Prince William and Kate Middleton's neighbors complained. "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."
Locals, who pay $148.47 to use Windsor Great Park, will be hit with restrictions, as the car park and gate access will close at 7 p.m.
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While some of
Prince William and Kate Middleton's community members are annoyed with the changes, some understand the couple needs additional security.
"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," mechanical engineer
Tom Bunn told
The Sun. "But I completely understand the safety of William, Kate and their family is paramount, so we should make sure they can live happily here."
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The Crown Estates clarified why they're implementing the policy change in the first place.
"The reason for the designation is that the site was previously in use by non-protected tenants, so the designation of land and property was not needed," Crown Estates said.
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"By the relocation of a protected principal residing at the Forest Lodge site, it reflects its use as part of the wider Crown Land within Windsor and therefore is appropriate to afford this site the same protection as other Crown properties designated under section 128 of the SOCPA 2005," the statement continued.
