Kate's back garden ice rink is axed this Christmas over 'public safety' fears

23 October 2023 , 14:36

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Kate arrives at her Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey (Image: PA)

The UK's largest festive ice rink that was due to open in the Prince and Princess of Wales' back garden has been axed this Christmas. The "magical winter event" was organised by Peter Phillips, William's cousin and the son of Princess Anne and had been due to be built on a helipad in the grounds of Kensington Palace - the London home of William and his wife Kate.

However, today it was revealed that it will be postponed until next year "to prioritise public safety during a period of heightened tension" in London. Kensington Palace stands next to several high-profile embassies, high commissions and consulates. In fact, it is a stone's throw from the Israeli embassy in London, which saw a huge pro-Palestinian protest erupt there earlier this month amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Peter Phillips with cousins William and Harry (Getty Images)

Now Mr Phillips' firm Tamarisk, which he founded with business partner Robert Derry, confirmed all pre-ordered tickets for 2023 would be refunded and it looks forward to welcoming visitors to next year's event instead. The founders said: "In developing the plans for ICE at Kensington Palace, our primary concern has always been the safety and enjoyment of our visitors. In light of recent events, and during a period of heightened tension and uncertainty in the area, we have taken the decision to postpone the planned event for this year as the safety and security of the public continues to be our priority.

"We are hugely grateful to the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, our partners, local businesses and the wider community who have worked with us over recent months, and we look forward to returning in 2024 to deliver a magical, festive experience that everyone can enjoy."

The rink was due to be built at Kensington Palace (Getty Images)

Ice At Kensington Palace had been billed as "a magical winter event with sustainability at its core" – values which Mr Phillips said were inspired by his uncle, King Charles, and his Earth Charter project, Terra Carta. Speaking in September, Mr Phillips, 45, told Hello! magazine it was his own idea to use the royal palace as the backdrop for the ice rink.

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He said: "I've obviously done a number of events in central London and on this site, so we looked at it and we started to come up with some plans. And then started to approach the household in the manner that you have to approach them, to be able to plant the seed and see if we could make something happen."

He explained that "fortunately" he is now in a position to host the event, and that the drive towards sustainability is related to "whose backyard we're in". The King owns Kensington Palace on behalf of the nation.

The 2,800 square metre rink with a covered roof was due to open from November 30 to January 7 and would have been built in Perks Field, used as a helicopter landing place for the royal family on the grounds of Kensington Palace. The northern end of the field – which was used by the Royal Household as a football pitch – had been due to be turned into a funfair and food hall. It has been rented out for VIP events in the past.

Jennifer Newton