Prince Harry and Meghan Markle abandoned their home for one reason | Royal | News
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have built a new life in California, but a royal estate closely linked to the couple still sits vacant years after their split.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex currently reside in their sprawling Montecito mansion, but Frogmore Cottage in Windsor remains vacant despite periodic speculation that it could be given to another member of the Royal Family.
The couple moved out of the cottage in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties. Although they no longer lived there full-time, the property continued to serve as their official residence in the United Kingdom for several years and was the home of the late Queen Elizabeth II. It was used during visits to important royal events, including Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and funeral.
This arrangement ended in 2023 when King Charles asked the Sussexes to give up the property.
Since then, questions remain as to why the five-bedroom house was not reallocated. At one stage, reports suggested Prince Andrew might be offered Frogmore Cottage due to the uncertainty surrounding his future at the Royal Lodge. However, no movement took place.
Hello! reports how the property was mentioned as a possible option for the Prince and Princess of Wales before they moved elsewhere. Reports at the time suggested that Frogmore Cottage may not have been suitable for the family’s needs; William and Kate said they considered the house too small for their needs. The current family residence reportedly has eight bedrooms.
One possible explanation for the country house remaining empty could be the extensive renovations carried out before Harry and Meghan moved in.
The couple oversaw a £2.4 million regeneration programme, funded through the Sovereign Grant. The work included installing a heat pump, replacing ceiling joists, new flooring, plumbing upgrades and other structural improvements.
The interior was also designed according to the Sussexes’ preferences, with details such as a copper bathtub and vegan paint finishes. After stepping down from royal duties, Harry and Meghan paid back the cost of the renovations.
Any effort to reverse or significantly alter these changes may require greater investment and extensive study, potentially making property reallocation less straightforward.
While the Duke and Duchess have spoken critically of their previous home, Nottingham Cottage, Harry’s comments about Frogmore Cottage painted a very different picture.
In his memoir Spare, Harry recalled: “Meg and I moved our office to Buckingham Palace. We moved into a new house, too. Frogmore was ready. We loved it there, from the first minute. We felt as if we were destined to live there.”
The duke also said he enjoyed daily walks around the grounds and spent time in the gardens.
“We couldn’t wait to wake up in the morning, go for a long walk in the gardens, meet the swans. Especially grumpy Steve. We met the Queen’s gardeners, learned their names and the names of all the flowers. They were thrilled to see how much we appreciated and praised their art.”
