However, supporters point out that William has long spoken about protecting his family’s privacy, referencing the lasting trauma caused by Princess Diana’s death.
“If you let that creep in, the damage it can do to your family life is something I vowed would never happen to my family,” William previously said.
Security vs. Community
According to the Crown Estate, the security boundary was introduced by the Home Office and Thames Valley Police and affects only a small portion of the park. Officials insist that the “vast majority” of public access remains unchanged.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are reportedly paying market rent for Forest Lodge, and renovations are not being funded through the Sovereign Grant.
Yet for residents like Tina, the emotional impact remains raw.
“I live here because of the park,” she says. “It’s a huge loss. The nature of the park is changing — it feels more commercialised, more restricted. And now we’re all squeezed into smaller spaces.”
She hopes that in the future, when William becomes King and has access to multiple royal properties, the land might once again reopen to the public.