Pippa Middleton, rich hubby irk village neighbours: 'They’re not even the proper Royals'
· Toronto Sun
Being the sister of the future queen isn’t making neighbours fawn over Pippa Middleton.
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In fact, Middleton and her husband, James Matthews, have reportedly rubbed their neighbours in Kintbury, a village in West Berkshire in southeast England, the wrong way.
The sister of Catherine, Princess of Wales, has long-held the reputation of being a diva — from imposing strict seating and fashion rules at her 2017 wedding, to recommending how people should keep their beverages cold.
Apparently, her attitude is still turning people off, and now it includes her husband — so much so that their neighbours have called the couple “inconsiderate” and said they “think they’re a bit better than everyone else.”
One neighbour, according to the Daily Mail , bluntly said: “They’re not even the proper Royal family.”
Laneway subject of neighbourly disdain
A laneway that runs through the Matthews mansion in Kintbury is the main source of contention between the royal-adajcent couple and their neighbours.
In 2022, the Matthews family moved into the $27.8-million, 32-bedroom home, once owned by designer Sir Terence Conran. Soon after moving in, the family put up electric gates and signs that read “private” and “no entry” across a part of Mill Lane, a concrete path which they claim is part of their long driveway.
Village residents, including a group of 35 walkers, think differently, arguing that Mill Lane has always been a public right of way.
Closing off the concrete lane means residents are forced to walk on an alternate road that’s regularly used by heavy trucks and delivery drivers. Not only is it inconvenient, they said, but also “extremely dangerous.”
One neighbour, Charles Robins, 72, told the Daily Mail that it’s only a matter of time “before there’s a serious or fatal accident involving a pedestrian.”
In 2024, residents applied to West Berkshire Council to have Mill Lane designated as a public right of way. However, the Matthewses appealed the decision through their lawyers.
Next month, the two sides will discuss the issue at a public meeting.
‘Unremarkable views’
In documents addressed to West Berkshire Council, Matthews described Mill Lane as a “surfaced drive with unremarkable views.”
The lane stretches for close to a kilometre before it reaches a fork where the electric gates and warning signs are installed across the remainder of the pathway. Mill Lane still runs 500 metres via two smaller private estate properties to the Matthewes’ home, Barton Court.
The property is obscured by trees and foliage, providing privacy for the family.
The dispute has upset the village residents.
One unnamed villager told the Daily Mail that the issue has split the village “which is most unhealthy and has become confrontational.”
Everyone knows everyone in a village with a population of 2,500. Middleton and Matthews have not engaged themselves in village life, which was also off-putting to the villagers.
Some villagers say that the couple are legally entitled to do what they want on their property.
“If the owner feels generous, then they would let the villagers use it, but if they want to be strict, I can understand that,’ said university lecturer Daniel Xu, who has lived in Kintbury for five years with his family.
Couple faced previous opposition
Middleton and Matthews had faced pushback in the past for modifications to their property. In 2023, plans for an 82-foot by 19-foot outdoor swimming pool were challenged by the council’s ecologist, who argued it would pose a risk to local habitat.
The property additions, which also included a tennis court and changing rooms within a walled garden, were approved.
This past February, the Matthewses submitted more property upgrades, including a new greenhouse, stables and a wide range of extensions. Those plans have been paused while archaeological investigation commenced, the Daily Mail reported.
Villagers also logged noise complaints after a 50th birthday bash for Matthews was held at Barton Court in September 2025.
A representative of Middleton and Matthews told Daily Mail that the laneway had only been “reasonably alleged” to be a footpath, not one that’s formally designated by West Berkshire Council. The representative also disputed the Mill Lane name, claiming it doesn’t appear in local records.
The Matthews family spokesperson said the council will be adopting a “neutral stance” at the upcoming public meeting.