Prince William and Kate Middleton’s back garden being taken over by Burberry has reportedly angered one of Britain’s wealthiest streets. Perks Field, a portion of the Prince and Princess of Wales’s private garden at Kensington Palace, is the site of a Burberry fashion show that has reportedly alarmed the wealthy neighbours in the area, known as the ‘Billionaire’s Row’.
During London Fashion Week later this month, the Burberry presentation is scheduled to take place, and according to the Daily Mail, locals are not happy about it.
Beyond worries, it seems that some locals have complained to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea about the show at William and Kate‘s back garden. The High Commissioner of India and the nearby residents’ association are reportedly among the complainants, who are worried that event of such scale may result in litter, traffic, and noise pollution in the affluent neighbourhood, according to reports.
Burberry, however, insists that it has consulted the Crown Estate, the Royal Household, and locals for the show. The British luxury brand has previously held London Fashion Week shows on the private fields. In a glass greenhouse theatre constructed especially for the show, the brand hosted British rock stars and models, including Tinie Tempah, Samuel L. Jackson, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, at Perks Field in 2015.
In addition, Perks Field has been repurposed for use by emergency helicopters. Special exceptions have been made, even though the fields are typically used by palace residents and as a landing spot for the royal family’s helicopters. To save helicopters the 45-mile round trip to the closest fuelling facility in Watford during the coronavirus outbreak, William granted permission for air ambulances to refuel on a private lawn at Kensington Palace.
As an air ambulance pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance for more than two years, the Prince of Wales has developed a strong affection for the LAAC. “His Royal Highness has seen first-hand the impact these first responders have upon the lives of patients with critical injuries.”
“As Patron of the London’s Air Ambulance Charity, the Duke will continue to champion those working on the frontline, and highlight the charity’s vital work in supporting the London’s Air Ambulance’s rapid response to incidents, and its provision of life-saving medical treatment,” Kensington Palace said in a statement announcing his new patronage.
Queen Elizabeth II also gave permission for the fields to hold Decorex, the largest interior design festival of the nation, which drew 11,000 visitors to the orangery and Perks Field. The Russian Olympic Committee also rented the fields for the 2012 Games in the same year.