KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – Security protocols reportedly put in place on Mustique to ensure the privacy of members of the British Royal Family are said to be making other vacationers there unhappy.
International media reports say that the rest of Mustique is on lock down as Kate Middleton – the Duchess of Cambridge – and her family vacation at a US$23,000 per week mansion.
There are security and strict regulations that follow the Duchess of Cambridge, wherever she goes and security is expected to increase when Prince Williams joins the family for vacation.
It is the second time the Duchess is vacationing on the island – long renowned as a playground for the world’s rich and famous, including Jennifer Lopez and Mick Jagger.
Kate and her husband, Prince William, travelled to Mustique in 2006 for a luxury getaway while they were still dating.
The Middletons – Kate, along with her parents, Michael and Carole, brother, James, and sister, Pippa left London for Mustique on Friday. Prince Williams is expected to join them on Mustique sometime soon.
The Mustique Company, which manages the private island – a part of the nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) – is said to be restricting the movements of other guests to protect the Middletons’ privacy.
According to reports, holidaymakers and other residents of the island have been banned from using the rented “mules,” or golf carts, normally used to travel around Mustique.
Visitors to the island are being quizzed by security before being allowed to access the beach and other island hot spots, reports say.
“This isn’t exactly the way one expects to be treated when you pay very good money to visit the most exclusive island in the Caribbean,” a local millionaire, who asked not to be named, told the Mail newspaper in London.
Neither the palace nor the Mustique Company had comment on the royal couple’s vacation plans, according to international media reports.
Mustique now has 74 villas available to rent, nine pristine beaches and the world renowned Basil’s Beach Bar.
It is known for its raw natural beauty and elegant accommodation, simple lifestyle and a family “house party” atmosphere.
In 1989, the government of SVG authorised the Mustique Company to operate Mustique as a private island.
In 960, Princess Margaret was given a 10-acre plot of land as a wedding gift on which she built “Les Jolies Eaux”, a signature villa that still exists today.