Frogmore Cottage renovation U-turn is ‘practical decision that will eliminate memory of the Sussexes’

It has been three years since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were evicted from the cottage

The decision to reverse Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s £2.4million renovations to Frogmore Cottage will “eliminate the memory” of them, a royal commentator has told GB News.

The Windsor residence has remained unoccupied since King Charles evicted Harry in 2023, just weeks following the publication of his memoir Spare.

 

Harry and Meghan had spent just 10 months living in the historic Grade II listed property before they upped sticks to Montecito, California, in 2020, shortly after they announced they were stepping away from royal duties.

The Sussexes had originally been gifted the property by the late Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding present following their 2018 ceremony.

At the time, the estate consisted of two separate dwellings used as flats for Windsor Estate staff members. These were subsequently merged into a single larger family residence as part of the multi-million-pound renovation.

But experts are now believed to be evaluating whether the property can be divided back into its original configuration as two semi-detached homes.

Construction work has yet to commence, though sources told The Sun that returning the cottage to its condition before the Sussexes’ tenure would require substantial and costly building work.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The People’s Channel the decision to reverse the renovations is “practical”.

Frogmore Cottage

The decision to reverse Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s £2.4million renovations to Frogmore Cottage (pictured) will ‘eliminate the memory’ of them, a royal commentator has told GB News

 | PA

“It is, above all, a practical decision as the Crown Estate knows it is being scrutinised to provide value for money,” he said.

“However, the optics are obvious. Harry and Meghan’s £2.4million alterations to Frogmore Cottage were paid for by the taxpayer.

“This was later reimbursed by the couple.”

Originally, the transformation of the home took nearly 12 months to complete.

Works encompassed the installation of a yoga studio, replacement of ceiling beams and floor joists, complete electrical rewiring, and fitting of new gas and water supply systems.

Harry and Meghan
Harry and Meghan pictured with a young Archie and Lilibet outside Frogmore Cottage in 2022 | NETFLIX

The Sussexes personally funded their interior choices, which featured a £5,000 copper bathtub and interior design by Soho House’s Vicky Charles, incorporating vegan paint throughout the property.

So, despite migrating halfway across the world, the Sussexes were naturally keen to withhold their British property, which had undergone such extensive personal modifications – particularly given that they fronted the £2.4million bill that had originally fallen on the taxpayer.

However, merely weeks, possibly even days, after the release of the prince’s bombshell memoir, Harry and Meghan had been booted out by the King.

“Their eviction reportedly infuriated Harry,” Mr Fitzwilliams said.

“It coincided with the release of his ill-advised memoir Spare, which was another attack on the Royal Family.

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Harry and Meghan have resided in California for six years since their controversial move away from the Royal Family

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“The new plans eliminate the memory of the Sussexes, which some would think appropriate.”

Harry is said to want reconciliation with his estranged family.

He still awaits the Home Office’s decision regarding security, which he sees as absolutely pivotal for him to make any return to the country with his family of four.

The Sussexes have now resided in California for six years, and last stayed at Frogmore for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and her funeral in 2022.