It was reported that they were initially expected to pay a “commercial rate” between £150,000 and £230,000 per year for the property, but this rental obligation was waived once they completed the refurbishment work.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be renewing their lease, which is set to end later this month. The Palace confirmed that Harry and Meghan have fulfilled their financial obligations in relation to Frogmore Cottage and that further details regarding their tenancy arrangements would be considered private.
It was in November 2019 when Buckingham Palace announced that Frogmore Cottage would become the official residence of the Sussexes. The couple went on to renovate the property and transformed it into a single large home from a series of separate cottages.
Following their decision to step back as senior royals and move to California in 2020, Harry and Meghan agreed to repay the money for the refurbishment work, with the aim of becoming “financially independent”. They paid five months’ rent before settling the remainder of the debt with the lump sum.
The couple have been invited to attend the King’s Coronation on May 6 but have yet to confirm if they will be present. Despite this, staff at Buckingham Palace have been instructed to make arrangements as if they are attending, including planning for cars, seating in Westminster Abbey and dining.
In other news, Harry and Meghan have started using prince and princess titles for their children, Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 21 months. The youngsters were previously referred to as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor, but have now been given their rightful birthright titles since their grandfather became monarch. They are currently sixth and seventh in line to the throne, having moved up a place each after the passing of the late Queen.
