Royal commentator Tom Quinn has suggested that a royal residence snub contributed to Meghan's unhappiness and potentially played a role in her decision to relocate to the United States. Despite their marriage, the couple moved into Nottingham Cottage, which reportedly didn't sit well with the actress.
Quinn, author of "Scandals of the Royal Palaces," posited that Meghan had her sights set on living in the opulent Kensington Palace as she embarked on married life with Prince Harry. Instead, they were informed that their new home would be Nottingham Cottage, a two-bedroom dwelling on the Kensington Palace grounds.
According to Quinn, Meghan felt like she was being relegated to a less prestigious abode, describing it as feeling "shunted off." During an appearance on the Mirror's "Pod Save the Queen" podcast, he suggested that the 42-year-old actress had been attracted to the idea of royal family life but was disappointed to find herself residing in what she perceived as a "little cottage" rather than a grand palace.
Quinn's observations appear to contradict the claims made by authors Carolyn Durand and Omid Scobie in "Finding Freedom." They asserted that Meghan was elated to share a postal code, W8 4PY, with Harry at Nottingham Cottage, emphasizing that she felt at home there.
"Nottingham Cottage was the couple's first marital home, a gift from the late Queen Elizabeth. They later relocated to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor before leaving the UK in 2020 to pursue their Hollywood ambitions, settling into a lavish mansion in Montecito, California, and stepping back from their roles as senior members of the royal family.
In their Netflix series "Harry & Meghan," the couple hinted at their less-than-positive opinion of their first home. Prince Harry referred to it as "lean" with "low ceilings," while Meghan deemed it "small."
Comparatively, Prince William and Kate Middleton didn't voice complaints when they resided in the same home for two years after their 2011 wedding, before moving into Apartment 1A within Kensington Palace. Harry and Meghan could have followed a similar path if they hadn't decided to relocate to the United States.
The royal family is reported to have restricted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's access to their former residence, Frogmore Cottage, since their move to the USA, making it difficult for them to visit. Harry and Markle exchanged vows in 2018 at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
