Princess Kate’s Sister Pippa Scores Major Privacy Victory After Bitter Battle Over £15.5m Estate
Princess Kate’s younger sister Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews have secured a significant victory after winning court battle for their £15.5m Berkshire country estate.
A government-appointed planning inspector ruled on Monday that walkers had failed to provide sufficient evidence showing continuous public use of the route through Barton Court for the legally required 20-year period.
The decision overturns the previous designation of the driveway as a public right of way, bringing relief to Pippa and James following a long-running dispute involving residents and walking campaigners.
James purchased Barton Court for £15.5 million in 2022. The impressive property, featuring a 32-room Georgian mansion and approximately 145 acres, lies just 12 miles from the Berkshire childhood home of Pippa and Princess Kate.
Residents of nearby Kintbury had maintained that generations of local people used the route, arguing that it provided an important connection to a public footpath linking surrounding areas with the village’s 12th-century church.
More than 30 walkers, supported by the Ramblers’ Association, petitioned West Berkshire District Council to have the driveway formally recognised as a public right of way, with their application succeeding in 2024.
Matthews challenged that decision, arguing that the public had not freely used the route for the required two decades. The hedge fund manager presented his position during a public inquiry held in May.
The 51-year-old also said nothing discovered during the conveyancing process when he purchased Barton Court indicated that members of the public possessed an established right to walk along the driveway.
His case received support from Lady Victoria Conran, widow of Sir Terence Conran, who previously owned the estate and sold it to Pippa and James following her husband’s death.
“In the 30 years that I lived at Barton Court, I only ever saw one person using the driveway who should not have been there,” Lady Victoria told the inquiry.
She added that she “never observed any organised groups of ramblers using the driveway,” providing evidence supporting Matthews’ argument that the route had not historically operated as an unrestricted public path.
Matthews also cited his family’s security requirements when explaining why gates had been installed, telling the inquiry that their “high public profile” created a need for greater protection than might ordinarily be necessary.
Within weeks of the couple taking possession, electric gates and signs stating “No Trespassing” and “Private: No Public Access” reportedly appeared. Local councillor Tony Vickers expressed disappointment with the ruling, saying he was surprised the inspector had sided with the landowner.
Pippa and James, however, welcomed the outcome through a spokesperson, saying they were “grateful for the careful consideration given to the facts.” For Princess Kate’s sister and her family, the ruling brings a significant dispute over their £15.5 million home to a favourable conclusion while strengthening the privacy surrounding their estate.
