Prince Harry and Meghan Markle didn't quite get the palatial home they had their eye on while they were working royals, writes Katie Nicholl in her book The New Royals.
Apparently, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were hoping for a "suite of apartments at Windsor Castle," but the late Queen had other ideas, and offered them Frogmore Cottage in Windsor Great Park instead—a home which they retain to this day, and which they have let Princess Eugenie and her family live in for a long time.
"The cottage was a big deal," the Queen's cousin Lady Elizabeth Anson told Nicholl (via the Daily Mail). "The Queen's entrance into the gardens is right next to their cottage. It is essentially her back yard, her solitude, and her privacy. She was giving that up in gifting Harry and Meghan Frogmore Cottage. We all thought it was very big of her. She said, 'I hope they'll respect it.'"
The Sussexes lived at Frogmore from April 2019 until their departure from the U.K. and from their roles as senior royals in March 2020.
After a short stint in Canada, the royal couple established themselves in Montecito, Southern California, where they still live now with their two children, Archie and Lilibet, and their three dogs, two beagles named Guy and Mamma Mia, and a labrador named Pula.
When they return to the U.K. for short visits (which are admittedly few and far between), the Sussexes still stay in Frogmore Cottage.
Speaking to The Cut recently, Markle spoke about returning to Frogmore and finding all her old possessions in drawers, including a journal which has some people worried she might use it to reveal royal secrets in the future.
-
Prince Harry Advises "Never Google Yourself," Says He Feels "Most Sorry For Trolls" in Candid Interview"It’s almost like a competition of who can hide the truth or lie or mislead us more," the Duke of Sussex said.
-
15 Outfit Formulas to Get Katie Holmes’s Winter StyleRecreate her streamlined looks with cozy quilted coats, sleek knee-high boots, and more.
-
Prince Harry Says His New Chapter in California Is "The Life My Mum Wanted For Me"The Duke of Sussex opened up on therapy, his childhood and the media at the 'New York Times' DealBook Summit.
-
Prince Harry Advises "Never Google Yourself," Says He Feels "Most Sorry For Trolls" in Candid Interview
"It’s almost like a competition of who can hide the truth or lie or mislead us more," the Duke of Sussex said.
-
Prince Harry and Prince William Avoid a Joint Appearance With Separate Diana Award TributesThe royal brothers remembered their late mother while supporting the charity's 25th anniversary.
-
Princess Eugenie Shares Rare Footage of Her Kids During Sweet Christmas Outing With Mom Sarah FergusonToddlers Ernest and August joined their grandma for some festive fun.
-
A New Report Debunks Allegations That Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Archewell Foundation Is Missing Millions of DollarsIn fact, quite the opposite.
-
The Royal Family's Christmas Rules Range From Funny to Outrageous"Don't suggest playing Monopoly, it's banned!"
-
Princess Charlotte Inherited a Secret "Ability" From Her Great-Grandmother Queen Elizabeth"Queen Elizabeth used to have her family in stitches."
-
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie Could Only Inherit Royal Lodge if Prince Andrew Can Keep Paying The "Crumbling" Home's "Not Insignificant Upkeep Costs"The home "reportedly requires a huge amount of work."
-
Prince Harry Hinted at Starting a Family and Moving Abroad in a 2015 Interview, Pre-Meghan Markle"Whenever anyone says to me that it was Meghan's fault they left, that conversation always springs to mind."
