More than a year after Prince Harry and Meghan formally left the property, the former residence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the United Kingdom, Frogmore Cottage, is still unoccupied.
The Grade II Crown Estate property in Windsor Home Park does not have any new tenants, according to Palace officials at the yearly Sovereign Grant briefing.
Photo: © PA Images
On June 29, 2023, the Sussexes formally left the four-bedroom home after repaying the £2.4 million that was used to pay for the cottage’s renovation and upkeep. In their Netflix docuseries, Harry and Meghan discussed packing up the house.
“Frogmore Cottage has remained empty during the year,” a Palace official stated during the briefing. I wouldn’t think to guess who will live in the cottage in the future at this time.”
He continued: “The Sovereign Grant has been fully reimbursed for the refurbishment costs of Frogmore cottage when it was initially provided to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and, therefore, there is no cost to the Sovereign Grant other than some routine maintenance, but it would be required for any of the buildings.”
Photo: © Netflix
As previously reported, an attempt was made to move the disgraced Duke of York from the larger Royal Lodge to the much smaller Frogmore Cottage.
However, it was reported in 2003 that Prince Andrew had signed a 75-year lease for the Royal Lodge mansion.
After Harry and Meghan resigned from their royal duties in 2020, they moved to the US with their son, Prince Archie.
The couple lived in Hollywood producer Tyler Perry’s Beverly Hills estate for a while before purchasing a $15 million property in Montecito. In 2021, the couple welcomed Princess Lilibet into their family.
The Duke apparently turned down his father King Charles’ invitation to stay in a royal mansion when he traveled to the UK in May to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games and instead stayed at a hotel.
Photo: © Getty Images
Following shocking allegations about Charles, his stepmother Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales in the Sussexes’ Oprah Winfrey interview, Netflix docuseries, and Harry’s memoir, Spare, ties between Harry and the royal family have deteriorated in recent years.
After the King’s cancer diagnosis in February, the Duke and his father had their last face-to-face meeting.
Prince Harry’s thoughts on Frogmore Cottage
Harry described his experience moving into the Windsor estate, which the late Queen had bequeathed to the Sussexes, in his memoir, Spare.
Photo: © Netflix
We had a great time there, Harry wrote. “Right from the opening minute. We had the impression that we were meant to be there. We were eager to get up in the morning, take a leisurely stroll through the gardens, and visit the swans. Particularly sullen Steve.
“We got to know the names of all the flowers and the gardeners who worked for the Queen. They were ecstatic to hear how much we valued and admired their artistic ability.”
