Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have built a new life in California, but one royal property closely linked to the couple continues to sit empty years after their departure.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex now reside at their sprawling Montecito estate, yet Frogmore Cottage in Windsor remains unoccupied despite periodic speculation that it could be handed to another member of the Royal Family.
The couple moved out of the cottage in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties. Although they no longer lived there full-time, the property continued to serve as their official UK residence for several years and was used during visits for major royal events, including the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and her funeral.
That arrangement came to an end in 2023 when King Charles asked the Sussexes to relinquish the property.
Since then, questions have persisted over why the five-bedroom home has not been reassigned. At one stage, reports suggested Prince Andrew could be offered Frogmore Cottage amid uncertainty surrounding his future at Royal Lodge. However, no move took place.
Hello! reports how the property was also mentioned as a possible option for the Prince and Princess of Wales before they relocated elsewhere. Reports at the time suggested Frogmore Cottage may not have suited the family’s requirements, with William and Kate said to have viewed the home as too small for their needs. Their current family residence is reported to have eight bedrooms.
One possible explanation for the cottage remaining vacant could lie in the extensive renovations carried out before Harry and Meghan moved in.
The couple oversaw a refurbishment programme worth £2.4 million, funded through the Sovereign Grant. The work included the installation of a heat pump, replacement ceiling beams, new flooring, plumbing upgrades and other structural improvements.
The interior was also tailored to the Sussexes’ preferences, featuring details including a copper bathtub and vegan paint finishes. After leaving royal duties, Harry and Meghan reimbursed the cost of the refurbishment.
Any effort to reverse or significantly alter those changes could require further investment and extensive work, potentially making the property less straightforward to reassign.
While the Duke and Duchess have spoken critically about their previous home, Nottingham Cottage, Harry’s comments about Frogmore Cottage painted a very different picture.
Writing in his memoir Spare, Harry recalled: “Meg and I moved our office into Buckingham Palace. We also moved into a new home. Frogmore was ready. We loved that place. From the first minute. It felt as if we were destined to live there.”
The Duke also described enjoying daily walks around the grounds and spending time in the gardens.
“We couldn’t wait to wake up in the morning, go for a long walk in the gardens, check in with the swans. Especially grumpy Steve. We met the Queen’s gardeners, got to know their names and the names of all the flowers. They were thrilled at how much we appreciated, and praised, their artistry.”