Meghan and Harry had previously moved into Frogmore in April 2019, just before the birth of their son, Archie, in May. During their stay, the Sussexes mentioned spending £2.4 million on renovations to the royal residence.
Subsequently, Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack, started using Frogmore Cottage as their home following the birth of their first child, August, born in February 2021. Initially, Eugenie was fine with this arrangement.
However, it was later discovered that the Sussexes hadn't been contributing to the upkeep costs, essentially profiting from Eugenie and Jack without financial responsibility. This situation became even more embarrassing when it came to the Queen's attention.
Moreover, sources revealed that Meghan and Harry approached Jack with an offer to purchase one of his Portugal investment properties, which are essentially timeshares. However, it appeared to be a self-serving move on Meghan's part. Jack, being a savvy businessman, saw through this and declined to sell to the Sussexes. It's a type of exclusivity the Sussexes may desire but simply can't afford, similar to Meghan's previous interest in acquiring their own private airplane.
These financial dynamics strained the relationship between Eugenie, Jack, and the Sussexes, and this tension was evident when Jack gave Meghan the cold shoulder during the Jubilee celebration in May 2022. Somewhere in the midst of these events, the Sussexes purchased a nine-bedroom mansion in Montecito for $14.6 million in 2020, following their departure from the royal family and their pursuit of financial independence.
Recently, they've been casually house hunting in Malibu, having spent the past two summers in a friend's rental home, according to reports. Meghan is also said to be exploring new plans amid financial and career challenges. She may try her hand at producing her and Harry's next project to gain more control over its content. While these projects may be temporarily on hold, Meghan can draw upon the success of "Meet Me at the Lake" as she and Harry navigate their way through these changes.
It appears that any move away from public controversies is a positive step for Meghan and Harry as they work towards their breakthrough, though the current situation with the writers' strike and production challenges may delay their next moves. Nonetheless, this period provides them with the opportunity to carefully consider various aspects, from potential casting choices to reviewing production costs.
