Over their eight years of dating, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have explored a broad range of real estate. Before relocating to their marital home at Frogmore Cottage, they briefly resided at Tyler Perry’s house in Los Angeles. Eventually, they bought their own Montecito mansion, where they currently live with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Initially, they shared a bachelor pad at Nottingham Cottage with Harry.
Photo: © Getty Images
The pre-wedding country estate of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is one residence that is rarely mentioned. The couple agreed to live in a remote Cotswolds bolthole for two years while Frogmore Cottage was being refurbished, just before they tied the knot at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in May 2018.
Their stay was brief, though, as they were compelled to leave the house when the media found out where they were. This is all the information we have about the “loved” property.
Built of charming Cotswold stone, the 18th-century Grade II-listed home was estimated to be worth £2.5 million in 2018. It had four bedrooms, one of which had allegedly been turned into a dressing room.
The converted barn extension, as seen by The Sun, is a self-contained space featuring a dining room, kitchen, and sitting area with floor to ceiling windows providing views of the four acres of private property and the patio area heated by patio heaters. For staff, there was an additional two-bedroom cottage.
At the Cotswolds property, which provided them with plenty of privacy to entertain their famous friends and plenty of outdoor space to walk their dogs, the Sussexes are reported to have been extremely happy.
Photo: © Kevin Mazur
Famous neighbours
The couple is believed to have invited their friends Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian, George and Amal Clooney, and Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland to the property while they were there.
The isolated Cotswolds region drew in visitors beyond just them. The residence was situated on the 4,000-acre Great Tew Estate, which is also the location of Victoria and David Beckham’s renowned country estate, Soho Farmhouse.
Photo: © Instagram
Forced to flee
Why would they give up on their dreams of living in the country, then? In his memoir Spare, the Duke of Sussex talked about how happy he was to move into the house and how disappointed he was to have to leave.
We had a great time outside. The lush grounds, the clean air, and the absence of paparazzi. The best part would be that we could utilize Kevin, my father’s longtime butler, for his skills. He wrote, “A much-needed change of scenery, a much-needed ally in our corner. He knew the Oxfordshire house, and he’d know how to turn it quickly into a home.”
Photo: © Netflix
After Prince Harry was made aware of privacy violations, it was short-lived.
“A photographer was hanging out of the door of the house, pointing telephoto lenses at all the windows, including our bedroom, while a helicopter hovered over the property. So ended Oxfordshire’s dream,” he wrote.
Frogmore Cottage move
Upon his marriage to Meghan in 2018, the late Queen Elizabeth II gave her grandson Frogmore Cottage.
Over the course of six months, extensive renovations were needed, including the replacement of damaged ceiling beams, an upgrade to the electrical and heating systems, and the installation of new gas and water mains.
Before Archie, their eldest child, was born in May 2019, the couple moved in. Given that it was Archie’s first residence and that it was close to the couple’s wedding venue, Frogmore House, where their stunning engagement photos were taken, it held a particular place in their hearts.
“Windsor is a very special place for Their Royal Highnesses and they are grateful that their official residence will be on the estate,” a palace statement to HELLO! at the time stated. Kensington Palace will remain home to the Duke and Duchess’ official office.”
Photo: © Getty Images
2020 saw Harry and Meghan recoup £2.4 million in public funds that had been utilized to renovate Frogmore Cottage after they had left the royal family and moved to the United States.
The royal couple currently resides in the United States in a large Montecito mansion. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a chicken coop that Archie likes to visit, and a gorgeous nursery for their daughter Lilibet.
