PIPPA Middleton and her husband James Matthews have ignited a bitter dispute in rural Berkshire by blocking a historic footpath on their Barton Court estate.
The couple installed electric gates restricting access to Mill Lane, a route villagers say has been used for generations to reach St Mary’s Church and local footpaths.
Locals argue the closure forces walkers onto a narrow country road without pavements, raising serious safety concerns.
Why This Matters
This dispute matters because it pits private property rights against centuries-old public access, raises safety concerns for walkers, risks damaging the Middletons' community standing and royal optics, and could set a precedent for other estate closures.
The move has left Catherine, Princess of Wales, in “absolute despair,” according to insiders, who say she is distressed by the escalating tensions and the negative impact on the community.
A source revealed, “This situation has become deeply uncomfortable for Catherine, who is very aware of the optics and the impact on the local community.”
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The property, a 32-room Georgian mansion bought by Matthews in 2022 for around $21 million, was previously more accessible under former owner Terence Conran, who reportedly allowed open access until his death in 2020.
West Berkshire council has now designated Mill Lane as a public right of way, following a campaign by the Ramblers’ Association, with a Planning Inspectorate hearing scheduled next month.
Residents remain divided, with some recalling longstanding access and others pointing to previous signage marking the lane as private.
The dispute has grown increasingly personal, with emotions running high and no sign of compromise as both sides dig in.
For the Middleton family, already navigating other high-profile challenges, this local row is an unwelcome distraction and a rare public family headache.
