King Charles's Sandringham estate has hosted a fire pit, despite a local ban strongly advising people to avoid them.
Wild Ken nature reserve, which borders the estate, recently issued a stern warning for the area, requesting all types of fire be banned due to the "extremely high" risk of wildfire.
Thanks to an exceedingly hot summer, this June being the hottest on record, the "tinder dry" ground has made it highly susceptible to fires.
However, despite the very real risk, the latest advice appears to have been ignored by some. A video recently shared to the Sandringham estate Instagram page revealed a large fire pit with marshmallows grilling on top.
The clip was shared as part of a promotional Facebook post encouraging visitors. It read: "This summer, spend time together exploring beautiful gardens, discovering Sandringham House, enjoying family activities, and relaxing with live music in the Courtyard."
Preventative measures
On 17 July, officials issued a set of fire preventive measures. It urged people to take all litter home, including glass, which can "magnify the sun and start a fire."
A rule asking that people avoid using disposable barbecues and campfires was also reinforced by the Sandringham estate, and has been further extended to locals whose homes are at most at risk. The use of vapes and cigarettes has also been banned in the area.
© FacebookDespite the fire pit video shared on Wednesday, the estate's same Instagram wrote a post reiterating the advice just a day later. It urged people to "dispose of cigarettes responsibly" and "bring a picnic, not a BBQ".
It also advised against leaving glass bottles or tins and encouraged people to avoid parking on dry grass.It's not the first time wildfires have threatened the Norfolk residence.
Previous wildfires
Just a few years ago, Snettisham Beach, located within the 20,000-acre area, fell victim to vicious flames following yet another heat-record-breaking day in June.
© GC ImagesMore than 80 acres of wildlife were affected during the 2022 fire, much of which has been the subject of Springwatch filming in the past. Earlier this month, Wild Ken Hill shared an update on Facebook, writing: "With the ground tinder-dry and temperatures climbing again, the risk of wildfire at Wild Ken Hill and across the country is EXTREMELY HIGH right now.
"Many of you will remember Tuesday 19th July 2022. At around 11:30 am on the hottest day ever recorded in the UK, a fire started in the Coastal Park here, close to Snettisham Beach."
© Getty ImagesAlongside a picture of the devastation left behind, the post explained how a hot south-easterly wind drove a wildfire into the area, killing precious wildlife.
At the site of flames, cans, bottles, disposable barbecues and "evidence of wild camping "were discovered. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is one of a few hundred people living on the Sandringham estate. Earlier this year, he was removed from Royal Lodge in Windsor and sent to live at Marsh Farm in Wolferton.
The former Prince was stripped of his titles in October 2025 by his brother, King Charles, following his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
