Everything we know about Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, Harry and Meghan's former UK home
It seems increasingly unlikely that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be spending much time in the UK from now on, and as such, Frogmore Cottage, their former Windsor home seems up for grabs, with the Prince Andrew the latest royal to set their sights on it. The cottage was previously offered to Prince Andrew by King Charles III, who reportedly responded by remarking that the house is “not grand enough for a prince”, says the Daily Express. But according to recent accounts, he has changed his mind, with The Telegraph reporting that Andrew has agreed to leave his current house – Royal Lodge – if he can move into Frogmore Cottage. The ten-bedroom house, alongside Harry's bijou first residence, Nottingham Cottage (or Nott Cott), has also gained a moment of fame by appearing in the couple's Netflix documentary, which aired in 2022. It's the kitchen that's the star of the show, as Meghan is seen painting her nails while Harry eats a yoghurt, and the pair kiss while Meghan perches on a countertop.
At the end of summer 2022, they spent a little time there in preparation for their European tour in early September. Earlier that summer they were in residence for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, and reports emerged that they hosted their daughter Lilibet's first birthday at the cottage, a casual picnic party complete with royal guests and one very charming photograph.
The autumn of 2020 saw reports that Frogmore Cottage had new tenants in the form of Prince Harry's cousin Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank. The couple, who had their first child together in early 2021, had moved into the property owned by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with arrangements for the tenancy kept under wraps. According to The Sun, 'The Sussexes' prized possessions were hauled out of Frogmore Cottage in the dead of night to make way for their new tenant.' However, it was reported within a few weeks that the couple had swiftly moved out.
The house was owned by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle until March 2023. They used £2.4m of taxpayer money to renovate the property, before paying it back in full when they moved to California. The news of the tax refund came in the wake of confirmation that the couple signed a multi-million dollar contract with Netflix (the result of which is the couple's documentary, as well as Meghan's recent lifestyle show, Love, Meghan, which has received mixed reviews), and reports that they are no longer receiving funding from King Charles III, as they were when they first left the UK. Even though they have bought their family home across the pond, Frogmore Cottage does remain their UK residence.
The ten-bedroom house on the Windsor Estate became ready in April 2019 after months of extensive renovations. The cost was rather staggering, even though the couple mostly paid for 'fixtures and fittings' themselves. The house, which had previously been split up into sections for offices, was returned to a single residence, and major works were necessary, including replacing ceiling beams and floor joists and replacing, rewiring the electrical system, and installing new gas and water mains.
When news broke that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were stepping back from royal duties, moving to North America and focusing on commercial ventures instead of receiving public funds, there was some controversy around the cost of renovations to the British public. Following this, Prince Harry apparently offered to pay back the cost early on in the process of negotiating his new role. The couple are now also said to be paying commercial rent to the royal estate for Frogmore Cottage, as part of their move to become financially independent.
The surroundings of the cottage are certainly dear to Harry and Meghan's hearts - their engagement photos were taken in the grounds of Frogmore House, the larger, grander house on the estate, and their evening wedding reception was also held there. That house, built in the seventeenth century, was once used as a country retreat by Queen Charlotte, and it was later occupied by various royals including Queen Victoria's mother, the Duchess of Kent; Princess Helena, the third daughter of Queen Victoria; and the future George V and Queen Mary.
Frogmore Cottage itself is a slightly less grand affair, but still very lovely indeed. It was built by Queen Charlotte for the use of her daughters at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and the young Henry James spent some time there with his family in the 1840s. The building is Grade-II-listed and has ten bedrooms, but was for some time used as accommodation for palace staff.
Renovations of the cottage took months and included some very modern and unexpected changes. As well as the general refit to turn it into a five-bedroom property, and the addition of two orangeries to the house, the couple have added a vegetable garden and even a yoga studio. Meghan is an avid yoga fan, and her mother, Doria Ragland, teaches yoga in Los Angeles. A royal source told the Daily Mail, 'The duchess has a passion for cooking so it was suggested to include a small plot in the spacious garden where they can grow some of their own produce.' Soundproofing has been installed to tackle noise from planes going in and out of Heathrow, which reportedly cost £50,000 but has been paid for by Meghan and Harry themselves.
The couple reportedly looked to the interiors mastermind behind Soho Farmhouse to decorate their home, opting for vegan and organic paint in the nursery. Vicky Charles of Charles & Co design studio is the woman who scooped the job. Charles spent 20 years as the Soho House, eventually leaving her role there as global head of design to open her own practice in 2016. And she’s no stranger to high-profile clients: Charles has worked with the Clooneys, the Beckhams, The Ned in London and Bon Appétit’s Test Kitchen.
1/15The wooden exterior of Soho Farmhouse.
2/15A bathroom has a freestanding bath and floral fabrics.
3/15Meghan already owns the tea set used at Soho Farmhouse, which is sold by Soho Home and starts at £8.
4/15A woodburner adds to the ambience at Soho Farmhouse.
5/15The 'Jamie' armchair (£1995), sold by Soho Home replicates one used at the Farmhouse.
6/15The cabins at Soho Farmhouse are built using reclaimed board cladding and feature outdoor copper bath tubs, as well as indoor relaxing spaces such as this sitting area.
7/15Compact cabin-style studio accommodation at Soho Farmhouse allows for an open plan kitchen and lounge area.
8/15Soho Home also sells this 'Banbury' chandelier (£375) which features in the Walled Garden rooms at the Farmhouse.
9/15Green floral wallpaper and a comfortable mustard armchair in a Farmhouse bathroom.
10/15Bunk beds with plenty of cushions make for a cosy and relaxed kids' bedroom.
11/15The 'Trinity Kilim' cushion is based on textiles used at the Farmhouse, and sells for £65 on Soho Home.
12/15Influenced by Upstate New York cabin culture, rooms at the Farmhouse have reclaimed-wood floors, ticking fabrics and custom-made Stoves cookers.
13/15Rustic tiling and a heavy wood table give the interior of this bar/dining area at Soho Farmhouse a rustic feel. Multiple house plants sit on the table, bringing the outdoors inside.
14/15A bedroom with green wallpaper and matching curtains forming a cosy canopy around the four-poster bed.
15/15Wood panelling in a bedroom at the Farmhouse.
