Residents of a South West London neighbourhood were left frustrated when the convoy of King Frederik X of Denmark parked on a private driveway while he attended the tennis at nearby Wimbledon.
King Frederik X at Wimbledon
King Frederik X of Denmark was present in the Royal Box at Wimbledon on Sunday, July 5, to watch Novak Djokovic compete. Before his visit, the 58-year-old monarch and his entourage left their vehicles outside a block of flats just a stone's throw from the All England Club.
The road serves as a vital access route for residents, with both the entrance and exit to the apartment block situated there. One resident discovered the convoy while hanging out her laundry.
Residents' frustration
Residents of the block said it isn't the first time something similar has happened. One resident told Sell Us Your Story: "It was one of those that surprised me - the drive backs up to our block - there is an entry and exit door for residents. I didn't see them pull up, but then I looked up and saw the two cars. I saw there was a flag and I noticed it was a Danish flag."
She added: "I was getting ready to go out to the shop anyway, but it was a big Bentley and behind it another parked car. I imagine they parked there waiting for him to watch the game and they decided that was a good place to park. I wanted to go and knock on their window and say 'you can't park here' - it's an access point for either the binmen or maintenance, emergency services etc. As I walked past, it was quite obvious it was a security detail or a chauffeur car."
Recurring issue during Wimbledon
Barul Kapoor, 43, who has lived in the block for over a year, said: "I'm not surprised. I have seen people sitting in that space there. It is annoying as a resident. I have seen a couple of people during Wimbledon having a picnic in the compound."
She explained it is "quite a lot" of money to live in Lakeview Court and own a car parking permit. She said: "We put up a chain, but cars are still parked outside the complex who don't live here."
A fellow resident, who has lived in the block for five years and wished to remain anonymous, echoed her frustration. He said: "People should not be parking on private property. During the Wimbledon season it happens a lot. It's annoying. It doesn't matter who it is, the law is the law. The fact that people think they can just go onto someone's property and park their car."
