Kate and William’s new privacy push leaves Windsor walkers shut out. For years, dog walkers like Tina have strolled Windsor Great Park’s oak dotted fields at sunrise, enjoying the freedom of wide open space.
But thanks to the Prince and Princess of Wales’ quest for privacy, those carefree mornings are quickly becoming a thing of the past.
In recent weeks, locals have spotted fencing going up near Cranbourne Gate, trenches dug, hedges planted, and even CCTV cameras installed.
Tina’s suspicions grew when she encountered three men carrying a “no public entry” sign. “I asked if they were closing the area,” she recalled.
“One of them hid the sign behind his back and claimed they were just checking the size. Then they all clammed up.”
Windsor Great Park confirmed that around 60 hectares some 150 acres of previously accessible land would be shut off to the public, creating an exclusion zone around the new Windsor home of William, Kate, and their three children.
Park management has confirmed that from 29 September 2025, access via Cranbourne Gate will permanently close, along with the Cranbourne car park the evening before.
The move comes as part of a pending designation under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA), creating a new exclusion zone around the Wales family’s residence.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have chosen Forest Lodge as their “forever home,” and with it, a 2.3 mile no-go zone to ensure privacy.
In conversation with Canadian actor Eugene Levy for Apple TV+’s The Reluctant Traveler, William spoke openly about his determination to shield Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Louis from the kind of relentless press intrusion he and Prince Harry endured as children.
Despite the Prince’s firm stance, locals who have long enjoyed morning walks through Windsor’s ancient fields are voicing frustration, with many questioning whether royal privacy should outweigh public access.
Tina expressed her dismay, “To the people who lose it, it’s a big loss. There are so many houses they could have chosen, why choose one where the public has to lose such a big chunk of the park for their private benefit. I am very upset.”
Calling the move “outrageous” and “selfish,” she added that the way the decision was implemented only added to her frustration.
Tom Bunn who walks his dog in the park twice a month, told The Sun, “I completely understand the safety of William, Kate and their family is paramount, so we should make sure they can live happily here.”
