Ant And Dec Recall Royal Mishap And Neighborhood Feud

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly—better known as Ant and Dec—have long been two of Britain’s most beloved television personalities, their camaraderie and playful banter lighting up screens for decades. But even for celebrities of their stature, life isn’t always smooth sailing, whether it’s awkward royal encounters or neighborhood disputes that make headlines. The past decade has seen the duo not only continue their reign over prime-time TV but also navigate personal milestones, public missteps, and the occasional brush with controversy.

Back in 2016, Ant and Dec were invited to spend significant time with King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, as part of an ITV documentary celebrating 40 years of The Prince’s Trust charity. According to BBC, the pair followed the future king for a year, getting to know him beyond the formalities of royal engagements. Ant McPartlin recalled during a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, “We were following [King Charles] for a year for a TV show and got on really well with him. We were asked if we would like to spend the night at the house ahead of the final interview. We were like ‘Hell, yes’. It was amazing and everything you’d imagine.”

What happened next, however, was anything but regal. Ant, ever the mischievous half of the duo, decided to try on a robe he found in his guest room. “I tried on the robe that was in my room and ran out into the corridor to find Dec… and there was [King Charles]. He said hello and started talking to me about pruning roses. I was so embarrassed,” Ant confessed on The Graham Norton Show. The moment, equal parts hilarious and mortifying, perfectly captured the duo’s knack for finding themselves in the most unlikely situations.

Declan Donnelly, never one to shy away from a good story, added his own twist to the tale: “We then had wine in the room and got a bit noisy. We took it a bit far and were asked to be quiet!” The royal staff, it seems, were less amused by the late-night revelry, but the faux pas didn’t leave a permanent mark. In fact, the following year, Ant and Dec were awarded OBEs for their contributions to broadcasting and entertainment, with the honor presented by none other than King Charles himself (then still Prince Charles).

Their recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show was more than just a trip down memory lane. It marked the launch of their new podcast, Hanging Out, the inaugural project from their media channel Belta Box. The show, as described by the presenters, promises candid conversations and behind-the-scenes stories, giving fans a fresh look at the duo’s off-screen friendship. And if that wasn’t enough, Ant and Dec continue to front ITV’s high-stakes gameshow Limitless Win on Saturday nights, with new seasons of Britain’s Got Talent and I’m A Celebrity on the horizon. There’s even a second run of I’m A Celebrity: South Africa in the works, featuring returning campmates vying for the coveted title of I’m A Celebrity Legend.

Yet, while their professional lives seem to move from strength to strength, Ant McPartlin’s personal life has seen its share of turbulence. For years, Ant and Dec were not just television partners but literal neighbors, both residing in the leafy London suburb of Chiswick. Their proximity mirrored their on-screen chemistry, with the pair often joking about being inseparable. But in 2019, Ant made a significant move to Wimbledon in South West London, hoping to focus on family life with his wife Anne-Marie and their blended family, including her daughters Daisy and Poppy and their son Wilder.

That new chapter, however, was upended in November 2025, when Ant and his family moved out of their South West London home after a highly publicized dispute with neighbors over tree removal. As reported by the Daily Mail, the issue centered on a planning battle to remove six trees—four cypress, a Weymouth pine, and a yew—all protected by a Tree Preservation Order. The local council’s permission, granted in February 2024, allowed the couple to cut down the trees, but neighbors were quick to object. One neighbor’s letter, cited by the Daily Mail, read: “No justification is given for felling these substantial trees, other than the applicant’s wish to allow re-landscaping of part of their garden. There is no suggestion that any of the trees are dangerous or diseased. The personal whim of the applicant should not override the benefit to the community and the environment in retaining these trees.”

In response to mounting opposition, Ant submitted revised plans that would preserve all six trees. The new proposal called for extending the existing garden room to create a gym, study, games room, and studio, cleverly building a lightweight “floating” structure on higher ground at the garden’s end. According to an arboricultural impact assessment, the plan would require only the removal of some lower branches and would not compromise the health or stability of the trees. The assessment, cited by the Daily Mail, confirmed that “it clearly demonstrates the property owners are going over and above to minimise ground disturbance.”

Despite the neighborhood drama, a representative for Ant told The Sun that the family’s move was for “family reasons” rather than planning issues. Still, the episode highlighted the challenges celebrities face when private matters become public fodder, especially in tight-knit communities where every change can spark debate.

Throughout it all, Ant and Dec’s enduring friendship has remained a constant. Whether it’s sharing embarrassing moments with royalty, weathering public disputes, or launching new creative ventures, the duo’s chemistry and resilience have kept them at the forefront of British entertainment. Their ability to laugh at themselves—be it donning a royal robe or navigating a neighborhood squabble—has endeared them to fans and critics alike.

With new projects on the horizon and their legacy as television icons firmly intact, Ant and Dec continue to prove that even the most familiar faces can surprise us. Their story, full of humor, humility, and the occasional headline-making misadventure, reminds us that life in the spotlight is never dull—and sometimes, it’s downright relatable.