Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have officially moved into their new digs. In March 2019, an official royal announcement specified that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would be moving "to their official residence at Frogmore Cottage" by spring 2019. By the first week of April 2019, People magazine confirmed the couple had officially left their Kensington Palace apartment and taken up residence at the cottage, which is located in Windsor and shares the property with the Frogmore House and Gardens. While it may seem to be a sudden change, the announcement revealed that it had been a, quote, "long-planned move." So why did the soon-to-be parents pick this particular Windsor estate? Built in the late 1600s, the Frogmore House is oozing with history. But, while the house is in fine shape, royal biographer Ingrid Seward told People that the cottage where Meghan and Harry now live had actually become, quote, "pretty dilapidated." In fact, the cottage was previously separated into staff quarters and, without extensive renovations, wouldn't have worked for a single family. As you've probably already deduced from the name, there are also a lot of frogs that live in the area, the royals' site reveals.
At first, it may sound like kind of a strange place to put down roots, but Meghan and Harry had a vision for this fixer upper. Plus, the long planning time allowed for all of the necessary renovations. Thanks to British taxpayers, Harry and Meghan were able to put an estimated $3.4 million into the cottage. That figure didn't cover the cost of an interior designer or any furnishings, however. According to BBC News, Meghan and Harry were responsible for all of those expenses.
Despite having to partially pay out of pocket, the duke and duchess didn't skimp when transforming the cottage into their dream home. A source reportedly told Cosmopolitan that they were, quote, "going all out with the refurbishment" and were even adding Smart technology throughout the cottage. Meghan and Harry have also made sure to get the nursery ready prior to baby Sussex's arrival. Katie Nicholl told Entertainment Tonight back in January 2019,
"According to sources who are helping with [their new home] renovations, the nursery itself is going to be very modern. Apparently, it's going to be a monochrome palette - whites and grays, I'm told, will be the color theme for baby Sussex's nursery."
But the renovation didn't end with the baby's room.
A palace insider told Vanity Fair that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were allowed to select artwork from the queen's own extensive art collection, so you can bet there are already some spectacular paintings throughout their home. People also reported that the five-bedroom cottage has been fitted with a "floating floor" - for yoga, of course. Needless to say, the cottage is "dilapidated" no more.
Windsor is a special place for Their Royal Highnesses - after all, that's where they got married. They also had their private evening reception at the Frogmore House. But that's not to say their new home is going to be 100% perfect. Another royal expert revealed on Twitter that the downside to the Frogmore Cottage is all of the "[airplanes] in and out of Heathrow." So it seems the couple will have to put up with some noise.
Overall, Harry and Meghan can put their minds at ease because not only is the Frogmore Cottage private, but the security is also top-notch. In an article for Vanity Fair, Katie Nicholl quoted sources who claimed the cottage has "Fort Knox"-level protection. The insider said,
"No one can get close. Harry and Meghan have made Frogmore their very own fortress."
But, hey, isn't that one of the main perks of being royalty?
#MeghanMarkle #PrinceHarry #RoyalFamily
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