The Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to live with the consequences of their decision to step back as working members of the Royal Family. Fresh details about the home that once served as their first marital residence, when they were newlyweds, have highlighted the need to finally close a chapter that now firmly belongs to the past. The latest move by the Windsors, involving new plans for Prince Harry and Meghan’s UK home, will erase the final traces of the couple who once spent some of their happiest days within the walls of what was a wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth II.
A Home in Windsor
© PA Images via Getty ImagesThe last remnants of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s presence are about to be wiped from their former royal marital home. There was a time when Frogmore Cottage, Harry and Meghan’s first home together, witnessed their happiest moments. After they stepped away from royal duties, it became the place they returned to whenever they crossed the Atlantic. However, that home was effectively declared off-limits following King Charles III’s decision in 2023. The prince’s father asked his son to hand back the keys to the residence, which had been given to the couple by Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding present. Now, three years after that request, the Windsor family has begun drawing up plans to reverse the $2.8 million (£2.4 million) renovations carried out for Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesThe property, originally two adjoining cottages, was completely transformed by Harry and Meghan after they received it from the Queen. The couple personally oversaw the extensive renovations to make the home as comfortable as possible for their new life together. The cost was covered by the Sovereign Grant, the public fund that supports the British monarchy. However, after King Charles III ordered them to vacate the property, Prince Harry was also required to repay the full $3.2 million.
© Getty ImagesThe Royal Family’s Possible New Plans
According to The Sun, several options are now under consideration, with one strong possibility being to subdivide the property back into its original two cottages. Sources close to the paper say assessments are underway to determine whether the home can be restored to its pre-Harry and Meghan layout, though no construction work has started yet. Insiders note that it will require a major and expensive renovation to return the cottage to its appearance from the pre-Meghan and Harry era. Frogmore remains Crown property. Prince Andrew reportedly turned down offers to move there during negotiations over his departure from Royal Lodge.
© Getty ImagesThe transformation, which took nearly a year, could now be undone to restore the home to its original state. The renovation, which included adding a yoga studio, replacing ceiling beams, and a full interior redesign, may be reversed in order to close this chapter and deliver what amounts to a final farewell to the couple who left the UK and gave up their roles as active working royals. The Sussexes are now based in California. Their last stay at Frogmore Cottage was during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and then for her funeral in 2022. Since then, the residence has remained empty, waiting for its next chapter.
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