More than six years after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved out of Frogmore Cottage, their former Windsor estate residence is once again set for significant changes.
Originally a wedding gift from the late Queen, Frogmore Cottage was transformed by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from several separate dwellings into a single, stylish home. This extensive refurbishment, which cost £2.4 million, took nearly a year to complete and included adding a yoga studio, installing new ceiling beams and floor joists, carrying out complete electrical rewiring, and upgrading the gas and water mains.
However, reports now indicate that much of these renovations will be reversed, with the property being converted back into multiple residences. A source described the decision as drawing a clear line under the property’s recent history and restoring it to its pre-Harry and Meghan configuration.
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Some speculate that this move signals a final distancing from the couple within royal life. Yet, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond advises caution in reading too much into the decision. She told the Mirror, “If these reports are true, I don’t think it should be taken as a vindictive move against Harry and Meghan. The Crown Estate operates as a commercial enterprise whose profits go to the Treasury.”
Jennie added, “If the most commercially viable option is to alter Frogmore Cottage again, then that is a practical decision. Still, it does seem odd that a recently refurbished house would be unsuitable to rent in its existing condition.”
Security concerns are considered a factor given the property’s proximity to Windsor Castle, but such arrangements are feasible with appropriate measures. Bond also noted the optics of spending more public funds on the cottage could be problematic.
Some royal commentators suggest these developments indicate Harry and Meghan have no plans to return to the UK. Even if they did, it remains unlikely they would request accommodation within royal grounds. Jennie Bond pointed out that Frogmore Cottage, while the couple’s first marital home, is unlikely to hold warm memories for them, especially given the pressure they faced to reimburse the cost of their renovations.
“Harry and Meghan have established their life in California,” Jennie explained. “They’ve moved on from that chapter. If they return to the UK, it will probably be because they have reconciled with the King and might stay in another royal residence. If not, they might choose a hotel as Harry has done previously.”
Despite any distance from Frogmore Cottage, family ties remain intact. Harry continues to maintain close relationships with his maternal aunts Jane and Sarah, as well as his Uncle Charles, who have supported him through years of family challenges.