Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Have Started Frogmore Cottage Repayments at $22,000 a Month
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have started paying back the cost of renovations at Frogmore Cottage, as they pledged to do after stepping down as senior royals.
The cottage was renovated for the Sussexes at a cost of about $2.9 million, paid for by the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant.
Meghan and Harry will pay about $22,000 a month, the Times reports.
When they announced their decision to step down as senior members of the Royal Family, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pledged to become financially independent, and pay back the £2.4 million (about $2.9 million) spent by the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant on renovating their U.K. home, Frogmore Cottage. And the couple have stayed true to their word: As the Times of London reports, the Sussexes have started paying £18,000 a month (about $22,000) for Frogmore.
Meghan and Harry are paying "enhanced rent," according to the Times, meaning that £18,000 incorporates both rent for Frogmore Cottage—which was initially a rent-free wedding gift from the Queen—and an added sum to contribute towards the renovations bill. It's not clear exactly how much the couple are paying for rent, and how much they're directing towards repayment.
In their January announcement, the Sussexes stated their intention to "step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent." A subsequent statement from Buckingham Palace read, "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared their wish to repay Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, which will remain their U.K. family home."
Meghan Markle's Most Iconic Fashion Moments
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(Image credit: Karwai Tang)
March 9, 2020
Meghan and Prince Harry attend the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey with all of the royal family. Meghan is wearing a custom Emilia Wickstead dress and carrying a Gabriela Hearst Demi bag; she's also wearing Birks earrings and Aquazzura heels.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrive at Canada House in London for their first 2020 appearance. She is seen wearing a Reiss Coat, Massimo Dutti turtleneck and skirt, and Jimmy Choo Romy pumps.
(Image credit: Chris Jackson)
November 9, 2019
Meghan steps out in a bespoke Erdem dress, her favorite Aquazzura heels, and Jessica McCormack earrings, for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend a panel discussion on gender equality with The Queen's Commonwealth Trust. Meghan is wearing a monochromatic look in a Joseph sweater, a Hugo Boss leather skirt, Sarah Flint pumps, and Emily Mortimer stud earrings.
(Image credit: Samir Hussein)
October 22, 2019
Meghan Markle arrives to the One Young World Summit in an Aritzia dress paired with Manolo Blahnik pumps.
(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo)
October 15, 2019
Meghan Markle recycles her engagement dress to WellChild Awards, a charity for seriously ill children and their families. She pairs her P.A.R.O.S.H. dress with a Sentaler coat and Montunas bag.
(Image credit: Samir Hussein)
October 2, 2019
For a South African engagement to visit the Youth Employment Services in South Africa, the Duchess of Sussex steps out in Hannah Lavery shirt dress, Madewell earrings, and Stuart Weitzman pumps.
Meghan and Archie step out for Archie's first royal engagement during the tour in South Africa. She wore a Club Monaco dress and a pair of Jennifer Meyer turquoise earrings.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit District 6 Museum in Cape Town, South Africa. Meghan wore a Veronica Beard blue button-down dress and Castañer espadrilles.
(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo)
September 12, 2019
The Duchess Of Sussex attends the launch of the Smart Works Capsule Collection, while wearing a Misha Nonoo button-down and wearing butterfly earrings and a cuff that once belonged to Princess Diana.
(Image credit: Mike Marsland)
July 14, 2019
The Duke and Duchess walk the red carpet for the Lion King premiere in London. Meghan wears a Jason Wu dress and Nikos Koulis earrings with a Gucci clutch.
Meghan Markle steps out for her first royal appearance since giving birth. She attends the 2019 Trooping the Colour with Prince Harry in a Givenchy dress and hat by Noelle Stewart.
