In a move that signals an irreversible separation from royal life, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been served an eviction notice from their British residence, Frogmore Cottage. The property, gifted to the couple by the late Queen Elizabeth II following their wedding, now stands at the centre of the final act in their departure from official duties.
The Windsor Home That Symbolised a Relationship
Frogmore Cottage, nestled within the private Windsor Estate, was more than just a house for the Sussexes. It represented a significant investment from the Crown, having undergone a £2.4 million renovation funded by the Sovereign Grant, which was later repaid by Harry. The five-bedroom Grade II listed property served as their UK base after they stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
The request to vacate comes directly from King Charles III, who has decided to reallocate the property for alternative use. This decision effectively removes Harry and Meghan's last foothold in the UK's royal property portfolio, leaving them without an official residence on British soil.
A Palace Statement and Mounting Tensions
Buckingham Palace has confirmed the development, stating the King's wishes for the couple to relinquish the property. This decision arrives amidst heightened tensions following the release of Harry's memoir, Spare, which contained numerous revelations about royal family dynamics.
Insiders suggest the eviction represents more than mere practical rearrangement of royal accommodations. It serves as the monarch's definitive statement that the Sussexes' break from royal life is permanent and that their privileges, including state-subsidised housing, cannot continue indefinitely.
What This Means for Harry and Meghan's UK Presence
The loss of Frogmore Cottage presents practical challenges for the Duke and Duchess:
- They will no longer have a secure base for future UK visits
- Their security arrangements during British stays become more complex
- Any potential reconciliation with the Royal Family appears more distant than ever
- The couple must remove their remaining personal belongings from the property
This development underscores the reality that despite their familial connections, Harry and Meghan are now truly on their own, financially and residentially independent from the institution they left behind.
