Frogmore Cottage was the first marital home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who spent millions renovating the property before being told to leave after quitting royal life
(Image: Getty)
Frogmore Cottage, a part of the Royal family’s property portfolio since the 19th century, gained public attention when it became Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first marital home.
The couple resided in the Windsor property from 2019 until March 2023. They were asked to vacate after stepping back from Royal duties in January 2020.
Now, it seems the residence is set to welcome a new Royal occupant – Prince Andrew.
Read more Prince Harry’s candid moment with Meghan Markle on wedding day caught by lip reader
Reports suggest that the beleaguered Duke has agreed to relinquish Royal Lodge on the condition he is provided with a new abode in Windsor.
He is believed to have requested Frogmore Cottage, which means he will benefit from the extensive renovations previously carried out by Harry and Meghan.
Initially, the couple refurbished the Grade 2-listed cottage using £2.4 million of taxpayer’s money. However, they later reimbursed this amount in full by contributing to the Sovereign Grant, reports the Mirror.
Originally, Frogmore Cottage boasted 10 bedrooms. But following Harry and Meghan’s renovation, it was transformed into a five-bedroom property.
(Image: Alamy Stock Photo)
It now features two orangeries, a vegetable garden and a yoga studio, according to House and Garden.
Vicky Charles of Charles and Co design studio was reportedly enlisted by the couple to oversee the interiors of their home. Charles, renowned for decorating Soho Farmhouse, worked for Soho House for 20 years before establishing her own practice.
Harry and Meghan offered supporters a glimpse inside Frogmore Cottage through their Netflix documentary series, Harry and Meghan, which launched in December 2022.
Audiences were treated to views of their rustic-style kitchen, featuring a marble-topped island with integrated storage and pendant lighting suspended above. The space included open shelving displaying hanging cookware and other cosy details, such as fresh flowers, greenery, and decorative pieces.
Via both the documentary and images posted on the duo’s social media platforms, followers also caught sight of the bathroom. One photograph revealed Archie enjoying a large Victorian-style bathtub, complete with period taps and decorative wall tiles.
In his autobiography, Spare, Harry outlined the couple’s feelings about residing at the residence. “Meg and I moved our office into Buckingham Palace. We also moved into a new home. Frogmore was ready. We loved that place. From the first minute. It felt as if we were destined to live there,” he said.
“We couldn’t wait to wake up in the morning, go for a long walk in the gardens, check in with the swans. Especially grumpy Steve. We met the Queen’s gardeners, got to know their names and the names of all the flowers. They were thrilled at how much we appreciated, and praised, their artistry.”
The pair most recently stayed at the property in 2022, during their visit to the UK for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee festivities. They also celebrated their daughter Lilibet’s first birthday at the location.
It was reported that Harry’s cousin, Princess Eugenie, and her husband Jack Brooksbank relocated to the property in 2021 following the birth of their first child. However, this appeared to be a short-term arrangement, with reports suggesting they departed just weeks afterwards.
Speculation that Andrew might be preparing to relocate to the cottage emerges after it was disclosed that he has contributed virtually no rent on Royal Lodge for over twenty years.
This revelation helped clarify how he and his former wife Sarah have managed to afford staying in the enormous 30-room estate. It also intensified the mounting pressure for him to finally relinquish it.
Andrew and Sarah reside together in separate wings at the Lodge, despite their divorce in 1996. However, demands for the controversy-plagued former couple to vacate the expansive property have reached unprecedented levels.
Buckingham Palace has persistently attempted to pressure the King’s younger brother into voluntarily surrendering the residence, including Charles allegedly slashing his yearly allowance last year.
Andrew is understood to have attempted to stand firm and reference the conditions of his “cast iron” 75-year lease with the Crown Estate. Yet faced with public fury, he appears to have been persuaded to relocate.
A friend of Andrew and Sarah revealed that the proposal the pair have presented will act as “a fresh start for both”.
They commented: “Frogmore Cottage is too small for both and Adelaide Cottage is around the corner, so they will see each other whenever they want.
“Both have space for their daughters Eugenie and Beatrice and their families to visit.”
