Frogmore Cottage, the former UK residence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, remains unoccupied a year after the couple officially moved out. Despite the passing of time, there have been no new tenants in the Grade II Crown Estate property located in Windsor Home Park. Palace officials revealed this information during the annual Sovereign Grant briefing, confirming that the property still sits empty.
Prince Harry and Meghan formally vacated the four-bedroom abode on 29 June 2023, after repaying the £2.4 million used for the cottage’s refurbishment and rental costs. This decision marked their transition away from royal duties and their relocation to the United States. The couple’s departure left Frogmore Cottage available for new occupants, but as of now, it remains unoccupied.
During the Sovereign Grant briefing, a Palace official refrained from speculating on who the future occupants of the cottage might be. The Grant has been fully reimbursed for the refurbishment costs, with only routine maintenance required for the property. It was previously rumored that Prince Andrew was offered Frogmore Cottage as a new residence, but he ultimately signed a long-term lease on the Royal Lodge mansion in 2003.
After leaving Frogmore Cottage, Harry and Meghan temporarily stayed at Tyler Perry’s Beverly Hills mansion before purchasing a $15 million property in Montecito. The couple has since welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet, in 2021. Despite occasional visits to the UK, such as Harry’s trip for the Invictus Games anniversary, the Sussexes have established their primary residence in the United States.
In recent years, tensions between Harry and the royal family have been on the rise. The Sussexes’ public disclosures about various members of the royal family, including Prince Charles and Camilla, in interviews and memoirs have strained their relationships. Harry’s memoir, ‘Spare,’ detailed the couple’s time at Frogmore Cottage and their interactions with the Queen’s staff.
As Frogmore Cottage remains unoccupied, its future occupants remain uncertain. The property holds significance for both the Sussexes and the broader royal family, representing a chapter in Harry and Meghan’s lives that has now come to a close. As both parties move forward with their respective endeavors, the cottage stands as a reminder of their shared history and diverging paths.
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