Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s request to live at Windsor Castle with Queen Elizabeth was deemed “inappropriate” and she “politely but firmly suggested” they live elsewhere, according to reports.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex married in Windsor on May 19 2018 and were later gifted the ten-bedroom Frogmore Cottage to use as their home, close to the Castle where Her Late Majesty liked to spend much of the year.
The Times claimed that Harry and Meghan initially wanted to live in the larger royal residence and asked if “living quarters could be made available after their marriage”, but were informed this would not be possible.
After a series of renovations the Sussexes moved into Frogmore in April 2019, welcoming their son Prince Archie just a few weeks later.
But following the publication of Harry’s memoir Spare in January this year they were asked to vacate the property.
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Windsor Castle has been a primary royal residence since the days of the Norman Conquest, with several smaller royal properties nestled in its grounds.
Prince William and Princess Kate live with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, close to where they go to school at Lambrook.
Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson are still living at Royal Lodge, despite reported attempts to move them out, as Andrew signed a 75-year lease on the mansion in 2003.
In her book, The New Royals, expert Katie Nicholl discussed the Queen’s decision to give Frogmore to Harry and Meghan, quoting the late Lady Elizabeth Anson who died in 2020.
Lady Elizabeth claimed the monarch felt that living at Frogmore was significant and she hoped the Duke and Duchess would “respect” her generous offer.
Lady Elizabeth is quoted as saying: “The cottage was a big deal. The Queen’s entrance into the gardens is right next to their cottage. It is essentially her backyard, her solitude, and her privacy.
“She was giving that up in gifting Harry and Meghan Frogmore Cottage. We all thought it was very big of her. She said ‘I hope they’ll respect it’.”
