Frogmore Cottage, the former residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor, has remained uninhabited since their departure from the Royal Family in 2020.
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were working members of the British Royal Family, they resided at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. This property, located within the royal grounds, is where the couple began their married life and where their son Archie also lived during his early years.
However, the story took a turn in 2020 when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to step back from their duties as senior members of the monarchy and begin a new chapter away from the United Kingdom.
Following their departure, Harry and Meghan first settled in Canada and later in California, where they established their permanent residence with their children.
King Charles III Asks Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for the Keys to Frogmore Cottage
In the first few years after stepping back from their roles as senior members of the Royal Family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were still able to stay at Frogmore Cottage whenever they traveled to the UK.
Since their self-imposed exile, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to their former residence on a few occasions, especially during events of great importance to the Crown, such as Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee and the events surrounding her death in 2022.
However, the situation changed after the monarch's death and the accession of Charles III to the throne. Months after his proclamation, the sovereign asked Harry and Meghan to return the keys to Frogmore Cottage, ending the couple's official connection to the property.
The Reason Frogmore Cottage Has Never Been Inhabited
Before moving to Frogmore Cottage, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry lived for a short time at Nottingham Cottage, a property they were fond of. But their move to Frogmore Cottage proved more comforting for the newlyweds.
“Meg and I moved our office to Buckingham Palace. We also moved to a new house. Frogmore was ready. We loved the place. From the first moment. We felt we were meant to live there,” the prince wrote in his controversial memoirs.
Before their move, Frogmore Cottage underwent renovations to prepare it for its new residents. Among the improvements and changes to the property were the installation of a new heat pump, the replacement of some ceiling and floor beams, and plumbing repairs.
The renovations, it was revealed, cost over 2.4 million pounds sterling, the equivalent of approximately 55,903,920 Mexican pesos, money that came from sovereign wealth funds.
The changes and improvements, of course, were designed to Meghan and Harry's taste. But upon their departure, they had to repay the funds once they ceased living in the house.
“Reserving these decisions to allocate the property to another use could be a costly and lengthy process, which perhaps explains why it hasn't been carried out,” notes Hello Magazine, regarding the main reason why Frogmore Cottage remains unoccupied.
Who could have lived in Frogmore Cottage, but never did?
Since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry left the Royal Family, Frogmore Cottage has remained empty, and various options for finding new residents have been considered.
When the King stripped his brother Andrew of his royal titles and pressured him to leave Royal Lodge, Frogmore Cottage was considered as a possible new home. However, given the controversy surrounding the former Duke of York, it was ultimately decided to relocate him to a property within the Sandringham estate.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were also among the potential occupants of Frogmore Cottage. Last year, when Kate Middleton and Prince William were considering moving from Adelaide Cottage in search of a larger residence, speculation arose about a possible move to the Sussexes' former home. However, that option never materialized, perhaps due to the property's size.
Ultimately, they opted for Forest Lodge, a much larger residence with eight bedrooms, an ideal space for them and their three children: Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte.
