There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the updates to Frogmore Cottage, particularly now Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are being forced to return the royal residence after their move to the US.
The couple were gifted the property on the Windsor estate by the late Queen Elizabeth II after they married. To make the five-bedroom home feel more like home, they reportedly spent £2.4 million of the Sovereign Grant to refurbish it.
Following their move to step down as senior royals and relocate to California, they were made to pay back the money, which is funded by taxpayers.
Since King Charles III has taken over after his mother’s death, he has made changes as to who will live in Frogmore Cottage, and has allegedly evicted his son and daughter-in-law from their only English residence.
Although it is not known whether their rejection of the royal family had anything to do with his reshuffle, it is thought the couple were informed of the decision just days after the release of the Duke of Sussex’s memoir Spare, in which he heavily criticised the institution.
Prince Harry and Meghan have not commented on the decision, but they are likely to be disappointed to lose their stunning historic home that was renovated to their own taste and style.
Among the updates to the property were turning it from a ten-bedroom residence to a five-bedroom home, which would still have enough rooms for the couple and their two children Archie and Lilibet.
They also installed two orangeries on the grounds, which were fitted so the couple could enjoy their new landscaped gardens. Although the house was heavily modernised with high-tech features, adding traditional orangeries upheld the character of the property’s original architecture, as conservatories became popular in the UK around the 18th Century.
It is also thought the Duchess had a small plot of land on the grounds for homegrown produce, which she might have been able to see from the stylish orangeries.
In addition to this, the modernised home was updated with grand fireplaces, and a “Gone With the Wind-style double staircase”, Marie Claire suggested.
There was also a yoga studio added to the house, garden lighting, and extensive soundproofing to block out the noise from Heathrow Airport, as the property is on the flight path.
Sources speaking to the Mail on Sunday revealed there was a £5,000 freestanding copper bath for the bedroom, produced by William Holland.
It is now believed King Charles III will give the property to Prince Andrew, who has been asked to move out of his current home as it is even bigger and grander than Frogmore Cottage.
The home is thought to have been commissioned by Queen Charlotte and was originally called ‘Double Garden Cottage’. However, the building, which has been standing since 1801, underwent a name change after Queen Victoria allegedly saw lots of frogs around the home while she wrote letters there.
It is situated close to the even more impressive Frogmore House, which was built in 1684. Despite its history, grandeur and beautiful views of the Windsor estate, it was last lived in by King George V and Queen Mary during his father’s reign. Although it is no longer occupied by the royal family, it was used as the location for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding reception back in 2018.