King Charles supports extravagant project to repurpose Kensington helipad, here’s what we know

Peter Philips, Princess Anne’s son, has announced that he has a plan for a recent business venture that is to take place in Kensington’s ‘back yard’. Speaking to Hello! Magazine, the royal - who is 18th in line to the throne - explained how he and his business partner Rob Derry came up with the idea, and why King Charles is happy for them to go through with it.

The idea is ambitious: the pair want to create the UK’s largest festive ice rink. Philips explained that the closure of the Natural History Museum and the Tower of London ice rinks created a ‘gap’ in the market. Derry has run many ice rinks over the years, but he was stuck when looking for a good location in London; Philips had the answer.

What will this project look like?

Philips explained it was his idea to use a royal property for the project. The rink is set to open over the Christmas period, at Kensington Palace, in the spot that the helipad currently occupies. Kensington used to be the residence of Prince William and Kate before their recent move to Adelaide Cottage, in Windsor.

The rink is to have a capacity of 750 visitors per day and will feature a festive tree centerpiece. Cecconi’s, by Soho House, will provide an ‘elevated’ VIP section with views over the rink. Standard ice skating tickets are to cost £18 for children and £22 for adults. Meanwhile, the ‘Chairman’s Box’ - a private room with a bar and buffet - will cost a whopping £5,400 for two hours, The Telegraph reports.

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King Charles supports the project

Philips has said that the project, imaginatively named ‘Ice’, aligns with King Charles’ environmentally-friendly ethics. He has called it ‘a magical event with sustainability at its core’. This is reportedly how he convinced his uncle to give his permission for the rink:

That is really driving all that we are doing. So, all the way through from our suppliers to our games providers, to food providers, and so and so forth, and all of our partners as well, everyone needs to be able to sign up to the process of sustainability and how we can make a winter event more sustainable.

Peter Philips’ history of ‘cashing in’

This is far from the first time that Phillips has made the most of his family connections. In 2008, he and his former wife made £500,000 by selling shots of their Windsor wedding to Hello! Magazine.

Later, in 2021, he was criticised again for starring in a Chinese television advert for Jersey milk.

So, will 'Ice' be a success? Only time will tell.

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Sources used:

The Telegraph: Peter Phillips to stage UK’s largest festive ice rink at Kensington Palace

Hello!: Peter Phillips reveals how he got the King's support to open an ice rink in the grounds of Kensington Palace