Royal officials are considering plans to dismantle the extensive renovations Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made to Frogmore Cottage, potentially splitting the Windsor property back into two separate homes, according to a report published May 30, 2026.
The proposal would effectively eliminate the physical presence of Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, from the Grade II listed residence on the Windsor Estate. Experts are currently assessing whether the cottage can be restored to its original configuration as two semi-detached dwellings, though construction has not yet begun.
The Windsor residence has sat vacant since King Charles III evicted Prince Harry in March 2023 after the publication of his memoir “Spare.” The couple had actually lived at Frogmore Cottage for only ten months before relocating to Montecito, California, in 2020. They retained ownership until March 2023.
Empty Since 2023
“It’s been empty since 2023,” a source said. “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.”
However, Prince Andrew has now agreed to leave Royal Lodge if he can relocate to Frogmore Cottage, The Telegraph reported — a reversal from his earlier position that the property was “not grand enough for a prince.”
The Original Renovations
Queen Elizabeth II gifted Frogmore Cottage to the couple as a wedding present following their 2018 ceremony. At that time, the estate functioned as two separate dwellings used as flats for Windsor Estate staff members. The units were combined into a single, larger family residence during a transformation lasting nearly twelve months, completed in April 2019.
The work was extensive. 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, previously divided into sections for offices, became a single ten-bedroom residence. The couple personally covered the cost of fixtures and fittings.
The Sovereign Grant, the taxpayer-backed fund supporting the royal family’s official duties, initially funded the makeover. When the Sussexes stepped back as senior royals in 2020, the £2.4 million renovation bill drew sharp criticism in the UK. 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.
Undoing the renovations would require substantial and costly building work, sources cautioned. Nevertheless, the desire for a fresh start appears to be increasing within royal circles, particularly given the visibility of the original taxpayer-funded refurbishment.
A Matter of Finances, Not Symbolism
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams characterized the potential reversal as a financial rather than symbolic move.
“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, marks the latest chapter in the cottage’s complicated recent history.
Memories Made During Brief Residency
Despite their short tenure, Harry and Meghan created significant moments 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. In August 2022, the couple spent time there preparing for their European tour in September 2022.
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.
Other royals briefly occupied Frogmore Cottage as well. 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.
Queen Charlotte built Frogmore Cottage at the beginning of the nineteenth century for her daughters. The property sits north of the Frogmore House estate, about half a mile south of Windsor Castle. Frogmore House itself, built in the seventeenth 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.
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.
