The anticipated reversal of £2.4 million renovations at Frogmore Cottage is expected to bring the property back to its state before the time of Meghan and Harry. The extensive work is poised to eliminate all remaining connections of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the residence. Originally a gift from the late Queen in 2018, the cottage was amalgamated from two semi-detached houses into one by the royal couple.
However, Harry and Meghan relocated to California less than two years later, and were officially ousted from Frogmore Cottage by King Charles in 2023. The property has since remained unoccupied. Although the Duke and Duchess no longer have a residence in the UK, Harry desires to return with Meghan and their children once his security is reinstated following a Home Office review.
An insider mentioned, “It’s been empty for three years. Even Andrew thought it wasn’t good enough for him to move in. Maybe if they get rid of any trace of Harry and Meghan, then someone within the royal household will fancy it.” The transformation for the Sussexes, which included adding a yoga studio, replacing beams and joists, rewiring, and updating utilities, took nearly a year to complete.
Harry repaid the £2.4 million six months after leaving the property, situated in Home Park, Windsor, Berkshire. Options are now being explored on how the new renovations will affect the layout, with the likelihood of returning to two separate buildings. The Sun reported a source as saying, “It would draw the line under Frogmore Cottage’s controversial history and return it to the pre-Meghan and Harry era.” In 2023, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was offered Frogmore Cottage in exchange for surrendering his lease on Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park.
Following their acquisition of the property, Harry and Meghan funded their own enhancements, including a luxurious copper bathtub and interior design by Vicky Charles from Soho House, featuring vegan paint. They resided in the cottage briefly before the birth of Archie in 2019, but later moved to Canada. Subsequently, in January of the following year, they announced their decision to step back as senior royals and depart from the UK, currently residing in California, USA.