Royal Family Plans to Reverse £2.4M Frogmore Cottage Renovations, May 29

The Crown Estate is considering reversing the £2.4 million renovations Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, Berkshire. The Grade II-listed property, gifted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018, was combined from five residential units into one family home. Plans now include subdividing it back into separate units. The couple vacated the property in 2023 after stepping back from royal duties, and it has remained empty since.

What Happened to Frogmore Cottage

Queen Elizabeth II gave Frogmore Cottage to Harry and Meghan as a wedding gift in May 2018. The couple spent £2.4 million converting five residential units into a single family home, which took nearly a year to complete. The renovation included a yoga studio and other upgrades. Harry and Meghan lived there for about 10 months before moving to Canada, then California, in 2020 after stepping back from senior royal duties.

Why the Property Sits Empty Now

King Charles III asked the couple to vacate Frogmore Cottage in 2023, around the time Prince Harry’s memoir Spare was published. The property has remained empty for three years since. A source told The Sun that even Prince Andrew declined to move in. The Crown Estate, which owns the property, is now exploring options to make it more attractive for future occupancy.

Plans to Reverse the Renovations

The Crown Estate is assessing whether to subdivide the property back into separate homes. A source said the goal is to “draw the line under Frogmore Cottage’s controversial history and return it to the pre-Meghan and Harry era.” No official decisions have been made, and no building work has started. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the plans.

What the Sussexes Paid

Harry and Meghan repaid £2.4 million to cover the cottage’s refurbishment costs, which had originally come from the Sovereign Grant, funded by public money. In total, the couple paid £3.3 million, including rent and other obligations, after they left. Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse, confirmed in March 2023 that the payment covered all their obligations and represented a good outcome for the royal family.

Final Thoughts

The Crown Estate is exploring plans to subdivide Frogmore Cottage and remove traces of the Sussexes’ renovations. No official decisions have been made, but the move signals the royal family’s intent to repurpose the property after three years of vacancy.

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