Royal officials are considering plans to split Frogmore Cottage back into five separate dwellings, effectively erasing the roughly $3 million renovation that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle commissioned before stepping back from royal duties, according to a report published May 30, 2026.
The Grade II listed cottage on the Windsor Estate has sat empty since King Charles III evicted Prince Harry in March 2023, following the publication of his memoir “Spare.” Now experts are evaluating whether the home can be returned to its original configuration as two semi-detached residences, though construction work has yet to commence.
The late Queen Elizabeth II gave Frogmore Cottage to the couple as a wedding present following their 2018 ceremony. At that time, the estate consisted of two separate dwellings used as flats for Windsor Estate staff members.
The nearly 12-month transformation, which wrapped in April 2019, merged those units into a single, larger family residence. Crews replaced ceiling beams and floor joists, completely rewired the electrical system, fitted new gas and water supply lines, and installed a yoga studio. The house, which had previously been split into sections for offices, was returned to a single 5-bedroom residence. Prince Harry and Meghan paid for fixtures and fittings themselves.
Taxpayer Funding Drew Sharp Criticism
The Sovereign Grant, the taxpayer-backed fund that supports the royal family’s official duties, initially funded the makeover. After the Sussexes stepped back as senior royals in 2020, the £2.4 million renovation bill drew sharp criticism in the UK, and Prince Harry offered in 2020 to pay back the cost as part of negotiating his new role. The couple repaid the figure in full and began paying commercial rent to the royal estate as part of their move toward financial independence.
The couple, who relocated to Montecito, California, in 2020, had spent only 10 months actually living at the property. They owned the home until March 2023.
A source said the cottage has sat empty since 2023, noting that even former Prince Andrew initially dismissed it as unsuitable. The source suggested clearing away any trace of Prince Harry and Meghan might make the property appealing to someone within the royal household and would draw the line under Frogmore Cottage’s controversial history.
Andrew has agreed to leave Royal Lodge if he can move into Frogmore Cottage, The Telegraph reported — a change of heart from his earlier dismissal of the property as unsuitable for a prince.
Value for Money Concerns Drive Decision
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams framed the potential reversal as more about ledger lines than legacy.
“It is, above all, a practical decision as the Crown Estate knows it is being scrutinised to provide value for money,” he said.
Sources cautioned that returning the cottage to its pre-Sussex condition would require substantial and costly building work. Still, the appetite for a fresh start appears to be growing within royal circles, particularly given the visibility of the original taxpayer-funded refurbishment.
Limited but Memorable Time in Residence
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made memories at the property despite their limited time in residence. They were in residence for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, and reports emerged that they hosted daughter Lilibet’s first birthday at the cottage with a casual picnic party. The couple also spent time there preparing for a European tour.
The home, along with Prince Harry’s first residence, Nottingham Cottage, also appeared in the couple’s Netflix documentary, which aired in 2022. The kitchen took center stage in one memorable sequence, with Meghan Markle painting her nails while Prince Harry ate a yogurt.
In October 2020, reports surfaced that Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank had moved in. The couple had their first child in February 2021 but reportedly moved out within a few weeks of the initial reports.
Built by Queen Charlotte at the beginning of the 19th century for her daughters, Frogmore Cottage sits north of the Frogmore House estate, about half a mile south of Windsor Castle. Frogmore House itself, built in the 17th century, served as the backdrop for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement photos and their evening wedding reception — a reminder that, even if the cottage’s interior is reconfigured, the grounds will keep their place in the couple’s story.