Royal officials are considering plans to split Frogmore Cottage back into two separate homes, effectively erasing the nearly $3 million transformation Prince Harry and Meghan Markle commissioned before stepping back from royal duties, according to a report published May 30, 2026.
Experts are currently evaluating whether the Grade II listed property on the Windsor Estate can be returned to its original configuration as two semi-detached residences. Construction work has yet to commence, but the proposal would eliminate the physical presence of Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, from the Windsor home that has sat empty since King Charles III evicted Prince Harry in March 2023.
The cottage was a wedding gift from the late Queen Elizabeth II following the couple’s 2018 ceremony. Before their arrival, the estate housed two separate dwellings used as flats for Windsor Estate staff members.
Harry and Meghan merged those units into a single family residence during a nearly 12-month renovation that wrapped in April 2019. 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 transformed into a single 10-bedroom residence. The couple paid for fixtures and fittings themselves.
The Sovereign Grant, the taxpayer-backed fund that supports the royal family’s official duties, initially covered the £2.4 million renovation bill. After Harry and Meghan stepped back as senior royals in 2020, the expenditure drew sharp criticism in the UK. Harry offered in 2020 to pay back the cost as part of negotiating his new role, and the couple repaid the figure in full while also beginning to pay commercial rent to the royal estate as part of their move toward financial independence.
Empty Since 2023
The Windsor residence has remained unoccupied since King Charles III evicted Prince Harry in March 2023, following the publication of his memoir “Spare.” The couple, who relocated to Montecito, California, in 2020, had spent only 10 months actually living at the property.
It’s been empty since 2023, according to a source. Even Prince Andrew thought it wasn’t good enough for him to move in. Maybe if they get rid of any trace of Harry and Meghan, then someone within the royal household will fancy it. It would draw the line under Frogmore Cottage’s controversial history and return it to the pre-Meghan and Harry era.
The Duke of York’s stance, however, appears to have shifted. The Telegraph reported that Prince Andrew has agreed to leave Royal Lodge if he can move into Frogmore Cottage — a change of heart from his earlier dismissal of the property as not grand enough for a prince.
A Practical Decision, Royal Commentator Says
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.
The proposal, first reported by a British outlet, has gained traction within royal circles, particularly given the visibility of the original taxpayer-funded refurbishment. Sources cautioned that returning the cottage to its pre-Sussex condition would require substantial and costly building work.
A Cottage With a Complicated Recent History
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 Harry and Meghan’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.
Even with limited time in residence, Harry and Meghan made memories at the property. 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 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 painting her nails while Harry ate a yogurt.
Frogmore Cottage briefly housed other royals, too. 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.
For now, Harry and Meghan remain based in California, where Meghan’s lifestyle show “Love, Meghan” has received mixed reviews and where the couple continue to build out the multimillion-dollar Netflix partnership they signed after stepping back from royal life.