Inside York Cottage, The Queen's Wedding Gift to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Hat, Tradition, Headgear, Fashion accessory, Costume hat, Headpiece, Smile, Event, Ceremony,

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 4 June 2018

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (opens in new tab) have officially asked that their friends and supporters donate to charity in lieu of sending them traditional wedding gifts. When you're the Queen, of course, the rules don't apply to you, so Harry's grandma gave the couple a very tangible, very extravagant gift: A house.

Oh, to be royal.

Queen Elizabeth reportedly gave the newlyweds York Cottage, from her Sandringham Estate, according to Metro (opens in new tab). Per Harper's Bazaar (opens in new tab): "The overall property is 8,000 hectares large (around 19,800 acres), including a 240-hectare public park and 24-hectare garden, which is connected to the main house."

Estate, Building, Property, Château, Stately home, Palace, Mansion, Manor house, College, Architecture,

Royal biographer Duncan Larcombe told Cosmopolitan UK (opens in new tab) that the Queen "has a habit of giving property" to family. She gave Sunninghill Park to Prince Andrew, Birkhall to Prince Charles, and Anmer Hall to Prince William and Kate Middleton.

"So there's every chance that Harry and Meghan might find themselves the proud owners of a nice property outside of London," Larcombe said.

According to Metro (opens in new tab), York Cottage used to be known as the Bachelor’s Cottage—something that will certainly change if one of the most famous married couples in the world decide to move in.

The cottage is currently used as accommodation for guests visiting Sandringham on holiday accommodation and for some of the estate's staff.

Will and Kate spent George's early years in their Sandringham home, Anmer Hall, and it's possible Harry and Meghan will do the same if they have children. For now, Harry and Meghan live in Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of Kensington Palace in London.

Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.