King Charles's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk was forced to close to the public on Thursday after a burst water main left the royal property without functioning plumbing. The closure affects the estate's main attractions including the house, gardens, restaurant, and courtyard facilities, though the Royal Parkland remains open to visitors.
"The Estate is currently closed all day to visitors due to an emergency plumbing issue," the Royal Estate said in a statement. "This includes The House, The Gardens, Sandringham Restaurant and Courtyard Facilities. We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding."
Anglian Water confirmed a major service disruption in the area, stating: "We're really sorry but some customers in Sandringham and surrounding areas may have either very low water pressure or no water at all. This is being caused by a burst water main in your area."
The plumbing failure comes as King Charles and Queen Camilla marked the second anniversary of their coronation at Windsor Castle, where they hosted King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden for a tree-planting ceremony. The Swedish monarchs gifted a native oak, planted in the Home Park of Windsor Castle.
Sandringham, a private royal residence owned by the King, typically draws more than 100,000 visitors annually. The 20,000-acre estate was purchased by Edward VII in 1862 and opened to the public in 1977 during Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee. The estate is also home to Anmer Hall, the Norfolk residence of Prince William and Princess Catherine.
The estate's temporary closure underscores the vulnerability of heritage sites to modern infrastructure failures. It also arrives at a time when the King is addressing his own health challenges. Speaking at a cancer support reception Wednesday night at Buckingham Palace, Charles shared, "Receiving my own diagnosis has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here."
