Why Pippa Middleton’s Neighbors Have Turned on Kate’s Sister
Pippa Middleton Matthews and hedge fund boss James Matthews reside at Barton Court, a 32-room mansion on a sprawling 145-acre estate located in West Berkshire, England. Not long after the Princess of Wales’ sister and her husband purchased the residence a few years back, they shut down a road on the property that other locals often used and it remains closed.
The estate’s previous owner, Sir Terence Conran, allowed access to the route for decades as it provides a vital link to a public footpath running to Kintbury and St. Mary’s Church. But after Pippa and James moved in, electric gates were installed blocking access to the footpath and “No Trespassing” signs were put up. The closure has forced residents in the area to take a narrow country lane with no pavements.
Now, the Daily Mail has reported that dozens of residents, backed by The Ramblers Association, have demanded that the route be reopened to the public again. The West Berkshire Council has sided with the public, but the couple objected the decision so the debate continues.
According to the Ramblers Association website, “Across Britain, people in less well-off communities are more likely to lack safe, accessible paths that connect them to green space near where they live. This isn’t just unfair, it’s unhealthy. And it’s deepening existing health and wellbeing equalities.”
Tom Platt of the Ramblers Association, Britain’s Walking Charity, echoed that, adding, “People across Britain overwhelmingly believe that access to nature should be a basic right, yet for millions it remains out of reach due to a shameful web of barriers. Local paths are lifelines. They connect people with green space, fresh air, and better mental and physical health.”
This isn’t the first time Kate’s sibling has drawn the ire of her neighbors.
Last September, Pippa threw a 50th birthday party for her billionaire hubby. Prince William and Kate attended the bash, which several of Pippa’s neighbors claim got out of hand.
The party’s theme was “racy,” a nod to Matthews’ passion for motorsports as he is a former racing driver. The Daily Mail noted that things began in the afternoon with a Spitfire (World War II-era fighter plane) flying right over their home. That alone rubbed many locals the wrong way, but then other happenings at the couple’s estate were heard far and wide as several neighbors fumed over noise complaints.
The party lasted into the early morning hours, with one resident who lives in the area saying they heard music and thumping still going at 1:30 a.m. Other neighbors described the party as “wild” and said it caused an “uproar,” leaving many “furious” and lashing out at Pippa, calling her “entitled” and “inconsiderate.”
“I thought this might happen when Pippa moved in. People with money,” one person complained, while another added, “It’s common courtesy and respect. There are a lot of very nice people who have a lot of money, but this is about entitlement. I’m a night owl, and I do like parties but I’m also aware of others. They could easily have had a silent disco.”
