It has been over a year since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially left their UK home, Frogmore Cottage, yet the property remains unoccupied. Despite their departure in June 2023 and repayment of the refurbishment costs, there have been no new tenants in this Grade II Crown Estate property located in Windsor Home Park.
Speculations Regarding Future Occupants
During the annual Sovereign Grant briefing, palace officials commented on the empty status of Frogmore Cottage and refrained from speculating on who might occupy the cottage in the future. The Sovereign Grant had been reimbursed for the refurbishment costs incurred by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, thereby no longer incurring any expenses from the property.
There were reports suggesting that the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, was offered Frogmore Cottage as an alternative to his larger Royal Lodge residence. However, Prince Andrew had signed a 75-year lease on the Royal Lodge mansion back in 2003, making it his permanent residence. This indicates that Frogmore Cottage was considered as a relocation option for other members of the royal family.
Following their decision to step back from royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved to the United States with their son, Archie. After temporarily staying at a Beverly Hills mansion owned by Hollywood producer Tyler Perry, the couple purchased a $15 million home in Montecito. In 2021, they welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet, into the family.
Prince Harry returned to the UK in May to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games but reportedly declined his father, King Charles’s, offer to stay in a royal residence. Instead, he opted to stay in a hotel during his visit, indicating the strained relationship between him and the royal family. This strain has been exacerbated by various public revelations made by Harry and Meghan in interviews, documentaries, and Harry’s memoir, Spare.
Memories at Frogmore Cottage
In his memoir, Spare, Prince Harry reminisces about the time spent at Frogmore Cottage, which was gifted to the Sussexes by the late Queen. Harry expressed his love for the property and the sense of destiny he felt living there. He described the daily routine of waking up, going for walks in the gardens, and interacting with the swans, particularly naming one “grumpy Steve.” Harry also mentioned meeting the Queen’s gardeners and learning the names of both the gardeners and the flowers in the garden.
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