This Little-Known Safety Rule at Prince William’s ‘Forever Home’ Has Forced Him to Park His Beloved E-Scooter

Prince William’s new royal residence is steeped in heritage and beauty, but moving in means leaving some of his favorite pastimes behind

Prince of Wales
(Image credit: Andrew Parsons/Kensington Palace via Getty Images)

Prince William won’t be zipping around on his e-scooter on the grounds of his home any longer.

The Prince and Catherine, Princess of Wales, recently moved into Forest Lodge, a Grade II-listed property set within the 4,800-acre Windsor Great Park. At the time, it was said to be their 'forever home'; however, staying will mean giving up one of his newfound favorite hobbies.

William was often seen riding his 10mph scooter across the 655-acre estate and on the route to the castle; however, the park’s regulations are now clear: 'Aside from cyclists, the roads are reserved for residents and Estate workers.'

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'This is not what I was expecting. This is your mode of transportation?' Eugene asked William, upon his arrival at their meeting, about his e-scooter. 'It is round here [on the grounds].’ William responds. ‘It gets around quite nicely around here. It’s quite fun.’

Expanding on why he enjoys them, William added: 'We come and use the castle for work and for meetings, and to see people. I’m always late, so I thought this was the way to keep my meetings on time.'

However, despite the restriction, William doesn't need to give up his scooter entirely. Sources indicate that residents of Windsor Great Park are still permitted to use e-scooters on roads close to their homes.

He will, however, need to resort to foot in some areas around his home. The Long Walk, a 2.5-mile tree-lined avenue leading to Windsor Castle, remains strictly off-limits. Bikes, scooters, rollerblades, and skateboards are all prohibited.

Forest Lodge

Forest Lodge, Prince William and Princess Catherine's home.

(Image credit: English Heritage/Heritage Images via Getty Images)

When you consider the estate's rich history, however, these regulations are not entirely surprising.

Originally known as Holly Grove, the house was built between 1772 and 1782 by architect Thomas Sandby. It is his most significant surviving work, with a distinctive nine-bay façade and flanking wings that remain largely unchanged today.

The grounds include a tennis court (said to be favored by Catherine and Charlotte, who enjoy the sport), a pond, a small lake, and a paddock. Historical records also note a garden designed by landscape artist Humphry Repton, although its current existence remains uncertain.

We have had glimpses of Prince William and Princess Catherine’s home since they moved last August. And, while we will miss seeing new footage of the Prince on his scooter doing the rounds on social media, we understand it's a price worth paying to live in such a beautiful home. You can also learn more about their official residence, Kensington Palace, and its stunning gardens in the book below.


Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.