Inside Frogmore Cottage after Prince Andrew contemplates leaving Royal Lodge
Frogmore Cottage is making headlines once again, five years after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle vacated the home.
Prince Andrew could soon call the cottage on the grounds of Windsor his new home after outrage at the recent revelation that he has not paid rent where he currently lives – Royal Lodge – for 22 years.
After giving up his remaining titles following the publication of Virginia Giuffre’s memoirs, the Prince is facing increasing pressure to move homes.
But it doesn’t stop at Frogmore Cottage – Fergie is reportedly eyeing up Adelaide Cottage, where Prince William and Kate currently live but will be moving out next month.
Here’s all you need to know about the property, which Prince Andrew could potentially call his new home.
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Where is Frogmore Cottage?
Frogmore Cottage is in the grounds of Windsor Castle, Berkshire, and was a wedding gift to Harry and Meghan from the late Queen Elizabeth.
Built in 1801, the ten-bedroomed, Grade II listed building had been empty for some time and underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment before the couple moved in during 2019.
The £2.4million bill for the building work was initially funded by the taxpayer, which the couple subsequently repaid.
It’s in the grounds of the 17th-century Frogmore House, where the couple had their wedding reception.
What is Frogmore Cottage like inside?
It was built for Queen Charlotte in 1801 when it ‘was considered fashionable for the rich to build secluded and large homes under the disguise of a rural cottage’, according to Tatler.
The Queen wanted a country retreat for herself and her unmarried daughters. Its curious name, Frogmore, came from the excessive number of frogs found in the marshy land.
Later the cottage was split into five units to house royal staff.
It featured in the Netflix documentary, Harry & Meghan, showing that the original doors, windows and period features were retained, and that the ten-bedroomed cottage is decorated in a muted colour scheme.
Plans to develop an annexe for Meghan’s mother, Doria, did not go ahead and the couple only lived in Frogmore Cottage for a year before relocating to the US, after the pressures of Royal life took their toll on Meghan.
Who owns Frogmore Cottage right now?
Both Frogmore House and Frogmore Cottage are owned by the Crown Estate – meaning the Royal family owns them.
Who has lived at Frogmore Cottage?
Aside from Prince Harry and Meghan, Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, moved in temporarily at the end of 2020 for six weeks.
Other past residents include Queen Victoria’s attendant Abdul Karim (as featured in the movie Victoria & Abdul), who she visited there almost daily.
In the 1920s, following the Russian Revolution, Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna stayed there with several of her sons and their families.
Can I visit Frogmore House?
While the cottage itself is out of bounds, Frogmore House is open to the public on specific days.
The site also offers group visits with up to 15 guests which must be booked in advance.
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