Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly secured a private residence in Britain as they prepare for an extended stay in the country. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are understood to be returning to the UK within the next two weeks with their children, Archie and Lilibet, who are expected to enroll in a British school.
While the exact location of the new home has not been disclosed for security reasons, it is confirmed to be a non-royal residence. The couple will not be resuming duties as working royals. This move comes as they retain their primary home in Montecito, California, and a property in Portugal. The duration of their UK stay and whether it will be permanent remains unclear.
Before their departure to the United States in 2020, the couple resided at Frogmore Cottage. During their less than a year's occupancy, they undertook renovations costing approximately £2.4 million. These upgrades included replacing ceiling beams and floor joists, rewiring the electrical system, installing new gas and water mains, and adding £50,000 worth of soundproofing. The interior design was overseen by Vicky Charles, a designer known for her work with luxury establishments. The property, a Grade-II listed building gifted by the late Queen as a wedding present, was initially two semi-detached houses that were combined into one family home. Discussions are reportedly ongoing regarding the future of Frogmore Cottage, including the feasibility of separating the structure back into its original units, a process that would likely involve significant renovation.
Following their step down as working royals in January 2020, Harry and Meghan relocated to California. Harry repaid the £2.4 million renovation costs for Frogmore Cottage in 2023, shortly after the publication of his memoir, 'Spare,' and subsequently vacated the property. Prior to Frogmore Cottage, the couple leased a £4.12 million property in the Cotswolds for two years after their 2018 wedding. This farmhouse, known as Westfield Large, featured four acres of land, a converted barn, and a separate two-bedroom cottage.
Earlier in their relationship, after the end of Meghan Markle's television series 'Suits' in November 2017, she moved to Nottingham Cottage within Kensington Palace to be with Prince Harry. Reflecting on their time there in the Netflix documentary 'Harry & Meghan,' both recalled the residence as being surprisingly small, with low ceilings and a slight lean, describing it as far less grand than its royal designation might suggest.