‘Absurd’ Meghan and Harry situation sparks anger with royal expert | Royal | News
Frogmore Cottage could undergo another major transformation (Image: Getty)
The property, located on the Windsor estate, has been extensively renovated for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, after it was gifted to them by the late Queen following their wedding in 2018.
Approximately £2.4 million was spent converting several separate properties into a single family home, including structural alterations, new installations and extensive renovations.
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The late Queen gifted Frogmore Cottage to Prince Harry and Meghan (Image: Getty)
But reports now suggest Frogmore Cottage could be split into multiple homes, effectively reversing the changes Harry and Meghan made before stepping back from royal duties and moving to California.
The prospect of further work being carried out on the property has sparked criticism from royal commentators, with former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond questioning the logic behind the additional spending.
Speaking about the reported plans, Bond said: “If these reports are true, I don’t think this should be perceived as some sort of vindictive move towards Harry and Meghan.”
He suggested the decision would likely be motivated by commercial considerations rather than any attempt to erase the couple’s legacy.
The property is under the management of the Crown Estate, which operates independently and aims to generate income from its portfolio.
But Ms Bond admitted the situation seemed unusual.
He told the Mirror: “It seems absurd that an apparently recently renovated house cannot be rented in this way.”
The comments come amid ongoing speculation about Harry and Meghan’s future ties to the UK following their departure from royal life in 2020.
Some royal watchers have suggested that the reported changes at Frogmore Cottage may represent a symbolic step away from the Sussexes’ former role within the Royal Family.
However, Bond believes the couple have long moved out of their former home in Windsor. “Harry and Meghan built their lives in California,” he said.
Ms Bond added that Frogmore may not have particularly positive memories given their departure from royal duties and the couple’s subsequent obligation to repay the cost of its renovations.
The duke and duchess have repaid the £2.4 million spent on renovating the property following criticism over the use of public funds.
Although Frogmore Cottage was once their official UK residence, the couple no longer have access to the property after it was retaken by the Crown.
Any future visits to Britain are likely to include alternative accommodation within the Royal Family’s property portfolio or elsewhere.
Harry has previously stayed in hotels when visiting the UK, but relations with some members of the Royal Family remain strained following a series of public disagreements and revelations.
The reported plans have not been officially confirmed, but have reignited debate over the future of one of the most talked-about royal homes of recent years and whether further changes to the property constitute sensible estate management or an expensive exercise that critics say risks bad views.
