Residents of one of Britain’s wealthiest streets have lodged objections to Burberry’s plan to stage a London Fashion Week show on land used by Prince William and Princess Kate.
Kate and William have a London base at Apartment 1A of Kensington Palace, but the Waleses have lived permanently in Windsor since 2022 and are due to move into Forest Lodge later this year.
The luxury fashion house Burberry has applied to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for permission to erect a large marquee on Perks Field, a private lawn that forms part of the Prince and Princess of Wales’s Kensington Palace garden. The event is scheduled for this month.
The Mail reported that complaints have been submitted by a local residents’ association and the High Commissioner of India, who fear the star-studded show will increase traffic, noise and litter in the exclusive area.
Prince William and Princess Kate face neighbour row over fashion show in Kensington Palace garden
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Kensington Palace Gardens, which borders Perks Field, is known as “Billionaires’ Row” for its multi-million-pound properties and diplomatic residences.
Burberry has said it consulted the Royal Household, the Crown Estate and nearby residents before submitting its plans.
But neighbours argue that the use of Perks Field for commercial events is escalating and say the fashion show is inappropriate.
Critics point to a “growing commercialisation” of the site, which has previously hosted high-profile Burberry shows in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and a recent multi-million-pound racehorse auction.
A general view of the Burberry Prorsum Men's Fashion Show held at Perks Field, Kensington Gardens, in 2015
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The High Commissioner of India, whose residence lies directly opposite the proposed venue, has formally asked the council to ensure noise remains at an “acceptable level”, warning that the property “frequently hosts diplomatic engagements” which could be disrupted by the event.
Another objector described such shows as “intrusive”, citing ongoing issues with large-scale works in the neighbourhood.
Residents are already dealing with years of disturbance linked to billionaire property developer and Foxtons founder Jon Hunt, who has faced long-running disputes over his plans to construct a four-storey basement complete with a car carousel beneath his mansion.
Mr Hunt, 72, has been in conflict with neighbours for 17 years over the controversial extension. His project has become a touchstone for concerns about noise, traffic and disruption in Kensington Palace Gardens.
Prince William and Princess Kate pictured at Perks Field, Kensington Gardens, in 2011
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Perks Field, which sits immediately behind Kensington Palace, is part of the private garden used by Prince William, Princess Kate and their three children
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Perks Field, which sits immediately behind Kensington Palace, is part of the private garden used by Prince William, Princess Kate and their three children.
While the royal couple have not commented publicly on Burberry’s proposal, the brand confirmed that discussions with the Royal Household took place as part of its planning process.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea will decide on the application after considering objections and representations from the public and relevant authorities.
If approved, the Burberry show would form part of London Fashion Week’s official programme later this month, bringing global media attention — and, opponents fear, fresh congestion — to one of the capital’s most tightly secured residential streets.