Frogmore Cottage, the former UK residence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, remains unoccupied more than a year after Prince Harry and Meghan officially moved out. According to palace officials at the annual Sovereign Grant briefing, there have been no new tenants in the Grade II Crown Estate property in Windsor Home Park. Despite the Sussexes vacating the four-bedroom abode on 29 June 2023 and repaying the £2.4 million for the cottage’s refurbishment and rental, the property sits empty.
During the briefing, a Palace official was quoted saying, “I don’t think, at this point, I would speculate on who will be the future occupants of the cottage.” The Sovereign Grant has already been fully reimbursed for the refurbishment costs of Frogmore Cottage by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. While there are some routine maintenance costs, there is no financial burden on the Sovereign Grant other than these standard expenses.
There were speculations that the disgraced Duke of York, Prince Andrew, was offered Frogmore Cottage as a potential relocation option to move him from the larger Royal Lodge, a claim that was said to have been made in 2003 when Andrew signed a 75-year lease on the Royal Lodge mansion. However, no concrete information regarding this offer has been confirmed.
The Sussexes’ Life after Frogmore Cottage
Following their exit from royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved to the United States with their son, Archie. Initially staying at Hollywood producer Tyler Perry’s Beverly Hills mansion, the couple later purchased a $15 million home in Montecito, where they continue to reside. In 2021, the couple welcomed their daughter, Lilibet, further solidifying their new life away from the royal family.
Strained Relations and Past Memories
Over recent years, the relationship between Prince Harry and the royal family has become increasingly strained. This tension escalated after Harry and Meghan made explosive claims about various members of the royal family in interviews, documentaries, and Harry’s memoir, “Spare.” Despite his tumultuous relationship with the royals, Harry has fond memories of Frogmore Cottage, a property gifted to them by the late Queen Elizabeth. In his memoir, Harry expressed his love for the residence and the grounds, describing it as a place they felt destined to live in.
The empty state of Frogmore Cottage raises questions about what lies ahead for the property once occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan. While the future occupants remain uncertain, the memories of their time in the Windsor residence will always hold a special place for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.