The Prince and Princess of Wales are lucky enough to be exempt from the new strict rule, which will be imposed next week in parts of England, unlike King Charles, who will likely not appreciate the news. The Royal Family are not exempt from the various rules imposed on the rest of the country, which include the latest hosepipe ban, which will take place on Prince George’s birthday, July 22, as the country battles exceptionally dry weather.
Water companies are being told to follow their drought management plans as well as step up work to fix leaks, while the public are also being urged to use water wisely across England and comply with any local restrictions as the dry weather continues to impact water resources nationwide. Thames Water announced that it’s bringing in a ban from next Tuesday for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire.
Charles’s private Highgrove Estate is in Gloucestershire, while Queen Camilla’s private home, Ray Mill House, is in Wiltshire, with both areas being affected by the ban.
The UK’s largest water supplier said the measure will be brought in after the Environment Agency placed its area into the “prolonged dry weather category”.
The ban will affect customers in all OX postcodes, all GL postcodes, all SN postcodes as well as customers in RG4, RG8 and RG9 postcodes.
Banned activities include watering gardens, filling paddling pools or washing cars.
Those who are found breaking the rules could be faced with a fine of up to £1,000.
People found to be using a hosepipe during a ban can be fined up to £1,000.
However, although Prince William and Princess Kate’s Adelaide Cottage home is in Berkshire, their postcode is different—thus, they are exempt from the ban.
The latest news will not be pleasant to the monarch, is is known for his love of gardening.
Wiltshire resident Joanne Macleod, who lives close to the King’s Highgrove home, told Hello! magazine: “We have always had three water barrels to collect any rain that comes in, so will continue to use that reserved water in watering cans until it runs out.
“We’re simply conserving as much water as possible during this time.”