Frogmore Cottage: Harry’s Not-So-Happy Home
Ah, Frogmore Cottage. The name itself conjures up images of quaint English gardens, charming cottages, and royal fairytale romance. And for a brief, glorious moment, it was the setting for a royal fairytale… sort of. But let’s be real, folks. The reality of Frogmore Cottage is a lot less rosy than the fairytale image we’re so used to.
So, does Frogmore Cottage still belong to Harry? Well, the answer is a resounding no. Harry and Meghan, the former Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were merely tenants. They were gifted the home by Queen Elizabeth II shortly after their wedding, but that gift was more of a « we’re giving you this house to renovate, and then you’ll pay us a hefty rent for it. »
The Frogmore Cottage Saga: A Tale of Renovations, Rent, and Royal Rubbish
Frogmore Cottage was in dire need of a makeover before Harry and Meghan moved in. It had been used as a home for palace staff, and it was in dire need of a fresh coat of paint and some serious repairs. So, Harry and Meghan, with their penchant for fairytale living, decided to give the cottage a royal makeover. They paid for the renovations themselves, a whopping £2.4 million, which, fun fact, is about as much as a small country could spend on healthcare in a year.
Needless to say, this hefty renovation bill didn’t go unnoticed. The British public, ever keen on keeping tabs on the royal family’s spending, were none too pleased with the amount of money being spent on a house for a couple who, let’s be honest, were already living a life of unimaginable luxury.
The public outcry was so loud, it even reached the ears of the Queen herself. She was reportedly « not amused » by the whole affair and even insisted that Harry and Meghan pay back the rent for the renovations.
A Royal « Eviction » and a Tale of Two Cottages
Fast forward to 2020, and Harry and Meghan announce their decision to step down as senior members of the royal family, a move that sent shockwaves through the world. They packed their bags, their royal titles, and their fairytale ambitions and headed for California, leaving Frogmore Cottage behind.
But here’s the kicker – they didn’t leave it behind entirely. They continued to lease the cottage, using it as their base when they visited the UK. But after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, the tides turned. King Charles III, having inherited the Crown Estate, decided that Frogmore Cottage was no longer Harry’s home.
In a rather dramatic move, which many saw as a symbolic gesture of the rift between the King and his son, Harry and Meghan were asked to vacate Frogmore Cottage by June 2023. This meant that the couple who once had a royal fairy tale were now facing an eviction notice.
While Harry and Meghan have since purchased a home in California, the eviction from Frogmore Cottage felt like a slap in the face, a symbolic rejection of their royal status.
Frogmore Cottage: A Royal Residence With a Not-So-Happy Ending
So, there you have it. Frogmore Cottage, once a symbol of royal love and fairytale aspirations, is now an empty shell, a reminder of a broken relationship and a royal family in turmoil. The cottage may still stand, but the fairytale that once resided within its walls has long since faded.
But wait, there’s more!
Let’s not forget that Harry and Meghan aren’t the only ones who have called Frogmore Cottage home. The cottage has a rich history, from being the intended home of Queen Victoria’s daughters to housing international royalty.
It was even used as a home for palace staff at one point, which is definitely a far cry from the opulent lifestyle of a Duke and Duchess.
A Royal Residence With a Patchy History
The history of Frogmore Cottage is a reflection of the changing tides of the British monarchy. It has been a home for royalty, for ordinary people, and even for those who work behind the scenes to keep the royal machine running smoothly.
A Cottage With a Past, Present, and a Uncertain Future
So, although Harry and Meghan may no longer be living at Frogmore Cottage, the cottage itself remains a reminder of the complex and often messy history of the British monarchy. And who knows, maybe one day it will be a royal residence once again, but until then, it’s just another story in the long and winding history of Frogmore Cottage.