Frogmore Cottage could undergo another major transformation (Image: Getty)
The property, which sits within the Windsor estate, was extensively renovated for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after it was gifted to them by the late Queen following their 2018 wedding.
Around £2.4million was spent converting several separate properties into a single family home, with works including structural alterations, new utilities and extensive refurbishment.
The late Queen gifted Frogmore Cottage to Prince Harry and Meghan (Image: Getty)
However, reports now suggest Frogmore Cottage could be split back into multiple homes, effectively reversing the changes made for Harry and Meghan before they stepped back from royal duties and relocated to California.
The prospect of further work at the property has prompted criticism from royal commentators, with former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond questioning the logic behind additional spending.
Speaking about the reported plans, Ms Bond said: “If these reports are true, I don’t think it should be taken as some sort of vindictive move against Harry and Meghan.”
She suggested the decision would likely be driven by commercial considerations rather than any attempt to erase the couple’s legacy.
The property falls under the management of the Crown Estate, which operates independently and seeks to generate income from its portfolio.
However, Ms Bond admitted the situation appeared unusual.
She told the Mirror: “It does, on the face of it, seem absurd that a recently renovated house cannot be rented out as is.”
The comments come amid continued speculation over Harry and Meghan’s future ties to Britain following their departure from royal life in 2020.
Some royal watchers have suggested the reported changes to Frogmore Cottage could represent another symbolic step away from the Sussexes’ former role within the Royal Family.
Bond, however, believes the couple have long since moved on from their former Windsor home. “Harry and Meghan have made their life in California,” she said.
Ms Bond added that Frogmore may not hold especially positive memories given the circumstances surrounding their exit from royal duties and the subsequent requirement for the couple to repay the renovation costs.
The duke and duchess reimbursed the £2.4million spent on refurbishing the property after criticism over the use of public funds.
While Frogmore Cottage was once their official UK residence, the couple no longer have access to the property after it was reclaimed by the Crown.
Any future visits to Britain would likely involve alternative accommodation, whether within the Royal Family’s property portfolio or elsewhere.
Harry has previously stayed in hotels while visiting the UK, while relations with some members of the Royal Family remain strained following a series of public disagreements and revelations.
The reported plans have not been officially confirmed, but they have reignited debate over the future of one of the most talked-about royal homes of recent years and whether further changes to the property represent sensible estate management or an expensive exercise that critics say risks poor optics.