More than six years after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved out, Frogmore Cottage, their former Windsor residence, is set to undergo another significant transformation. Originally a wedding gift from the late Queen, the property was extensively renovated by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they first moved in, converting several separate dwellings into one unified home.
The renovation project, which took nearly a year to complete, amounted to a £2.4 million investment by Harry and Meghan. It included additions such as a yoga studio, new ceiling beams, reinforced floor joists, full electrical rewiring, and updated gas and water systems.
Now, reports indicate that this renovation work is being undone, with plans to revert Frogmore Cottage back into multiple residences. A source suggested that this move intends to “draw the line” under the property’s recent history and return it to its state prior to Harry and Meghan’s occupancy.
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Speculation has risen that this reversal might symbolize a final distancing of the couple from royal life. However, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond cautions against reading too much into the decision.
Speaking to the Mirror, Jennie Bond emphasized that the Crown Estate operates as a commercial entity, with profits benefiting the Treasury. She said, “If the best commercial decision is to make further alterations to Frogmore Cottage, then so be it. But on the surface, it seems counterintuitive that a house recently renovated couldn’t be rented out as it is.”
Bond also noted that security concerns are part of the equation, given the cottage’s proximity to Windsor Castle, but stressed such challenges are not insurmountable. She added that the optics of additional expenditure on the property could be perceived negatively.
Some royal watchers have speculated that the effort to undo the renovations signals that Harry and Meghan may never return to reside in the UK. Should they visit, it’s unlikely they would choose to stay within royal grounds anyway.
Reflecting on the couple’s ties to Frogmore Cottage, Jennie Bond suggested the property likely holds few warm memories for them. “Harry and Meghan have built their life in California. After being pressured to repay the £2.4 million spent on renovations, I doubt Frogmore Cottage is a place they look back on fondly,” she observed.
Bond also noted that if the couple returns to the UK, it would probably be because they have reconciled with King Charles and could potentially stay at another royal residence. Otherwise, they might opt for hotels, as Harry has done before.
Importantly, Harry still has close family connections in the UK, including his aunts Jane and Sarah and his uncle Charles, who have maintained positive relationships with him throughout the family’s turbulent times.