Prince William Reveals Awkward Highgrove House Moments: He Had to Duck Out of Sight to Avoid Being Seen Undressed by Tourists

Prince William has shared an amusing memory from his childhood at King Charles’s Highgrove House, revealing that the family’s private residence sometimes offered rather less privacy than he would have liked.

The Prince of Wales recalled how visitors touring the Gloucestershire estate’s famous gardens could see directly into his bedroom. On several occasions, he had to drop to the floor and quickly shut his curtains after waking up before getting dressed.

William, 44, opened up about the experience in the November 2026 issue of Country Life, which he guest-edited. The special edition, published on November 11, offers a more personal look at his connection to the countryside, his family life and his memories of growing up at Highgrove.

“Living in a private house that was surrounded by a working public garden, which was constantly being developed and nurtured by my father — as well as being open to members of the public and therefore pretty busy — could be quite difficult,” he told the magazine.

He then recalled the uncomfortable moments when he would wake up and open his curtains, only to realise that visitors outside had a clear view into his bedroom.

“I remember several times when I would wake up, open the curtains and have to hit the floor and hurriedly close them, because I was not fully dressed and there were people outside who could see straight into my bedroom window!” he said.

Highgrove: A Family Retreat With Thousands of Visitors

Although Highgrove was a private family home for William and his younger brother, Prince Harry, its gardens have long been open to the public. Around 40,000 people visit the grounds each year, meaning the young princes had to share their family retreat with a steady stream of tourists.

The property, located in Gloucestershire, served as a weekend and holiday escape for William and Harry as they spent time with their parents, King Charles and the late Princess Diana.

Highgrove features four principal reception rooms, nine bedrooms and a separate nursery wing, as well as the gardens that have become closely associated with Charles’s passion for horticulture.

The estate also provided the setting for some of the brothers’ more mischievous childhood adventures. In his 2023 memoir, Spare, Harry revealed that he and William turned an underground bomb shelter beneath the house into a private teenage hideaway, which they named Club H.

Reflecting on their secret retreat, the Duke of Sussex wrote: “When I wanted solitude, what better than a bomb shelter in the middle of the British countryside? Willy felt the same. I often thought he seemed more at peace down there than anywhere else on earth.”

More recently, Highgrove was the setting for a reunion between King Charles and the Sussex family over the summer. The monarch saw Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in person for the first time in four years.

William Shares His Love of the Countryside in Special Magazine Edition

The Highgrove memories are among the personal insights featured in William’s guest-edited Country Life issue, which explores his longstanding affection for the countryside and the importance of giving children opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

For the Prince, the natural world offers a sense of freedom and calm, particularly for younger generations. He also highlighted the role his family’s dogs play in encouraging the children to spend time outside.

“The countryside is a place of escape for children, a place of peace and tranquillity. The dogs have always been the bridge for us as a family: they make the children want to go for walks, to go and explore. We encourage them to get outside as much as they can,” he said.

The nearly 300-page edition also features a colourful kingfisher drawing by William’s eldest son, 13-year-old Prince George. The artwork, created when George was 12, offers another glimpse into the young royal’s interests and creative talents.

Meanwhile, the magazine includes a rare conversation between the Princess of Wales and author Robert Macfarlane. Kate discusses her deep connection with nature and the part it has played in her cancer journey and recovery.

Editor Praises William’s Hands-On Approach

Country Life editor-in-chief Mark Hedges praised William’s commitment to the project, describing him as an involved guest editor who took a personal interest in the magazine’s content.

“The Prince of Wales has been a formidable, hands-on guest editor whose commitment to the future of the countryside, willingness to shine a light on darker issues and determination to highlight environmental emergencies, is reflected in every feature personally chosen by him,” Hedges said.

He also pointed to the more relaxed details that offer readers a glimpse of William beyond his official duties, describing him as a family man and football supporter with a fondness for a chocolate cake first served to him by his grandmother.

“His skills as a guest editor have been admirable, and the result is a glorious edition, which I am sure will be a sell-out,” Hedges added.

William’s editorial role continues a family connection with the publication. King Charles has guest-edited Country Life twice, in 2013 and 2018, while Queen Camilla took on the role in 2022 to mark her 75th birthday. The cover photograph for Camilla’s special edition was taken by Kate.

Through his own issue, William has brought together subjects close to his heart, from family memories and outdoor life to the challenges facing rural communities and the environment.