Harry and Meghan – latest: Sussexes confirm ‘eviction’ from Frogmore Cottage
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have confirmed that they have been asked to vacate Frogmore Cottage, as reports suggest that Prince Andrew has been offered the keys instead.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now said to be making arrangements to have their remaining belongings shipped from the 10-bedroom royal residence to California, where they live with their two children.
Instead, the Duke of York has reportedly been offered the keys to Frogmore Cottage, which was gifted to the couple by the late Queen Elizabeth II after their wedding in 2018.
But Andrew is claimed to be “resisting” calls to downsize from the Royal Lodge in Windsor, where he has lived for more than 20 years and shares with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
A friend of the Duchess of Sussex was quoted as telling The Sun, which first reported the claims, that the Sussexes were “stunned” by the development, saying: “It all feels very final and like a cruel punishment. It’s like [the family] want to cut them out of the picture for good.”
Key Points
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘stunned’ by request to vacate Frogmore Cottage
Prince Andrew ‘resisting’ calls to downsize, insider claims
Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirm they have been asked to move out of royal residence
Prince Andrew ‘told friends he could have to move out if allowance cut’
11:08 , Andy Gregory
Prince Andrew is reported to have recently told friends he might have to move out of the 98-acre Royal Lodge estate if the King cuts his royal allowance, reports my colleague Kate Ng.
He is expected to have his £249,000 annual allowance cut from April, but has reportedly said this would leave him struggling to cover the cost of maintenance for Royal Lodge.
Prince Andrew has lived in the 30-room Royal Lodge, located three miles south of Windsor Castle, since 2004, having signed a 75-year lease for £1m on the property, which was formerly home to the Queen Mother until her death in 2002.
He has spent around £7.5m repairing and renovating the property. It has been reported that the estate could now be worth £30m if it were to put on the market.
Prince Andrew ‘resisting’ move out of Royal Lodge and into Frogmore Cottage
Inside Frogmore Cottage, the residence at the centre of a new royal row
10:29 , Andy Gregory
The Grade II-listed Frogmore Cottage has been part of the royal family’s property portfolio since the 19th century.
Over the years, various members of the royal family have lived in the 10-bedroom house, which was first built as a retreat for Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III, in 1801.
It is currently known for being the first marital home and UK residence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
My colleague Kate Ng has more on the royal residence here:
Inside Frogmore Cottage, the residence at the centre of a new royal row
Harry and Meghan spent £2.4m renovating cottage
10:12 , Andy Gregory
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have carried out renovations on Frogmore cottage using £2.4m of taxpayer’s money since they were handed the keys to the property by the late Queen in 2018.
But the couple have since paid it back in full by making a contribution to the Sovereign Grant.
Members of royal family ‘appalled’ by Frogmore Cottage news
09:55 , Andy Gregory
At least two members of the royal family are also “appalled” by the developments around Frogmore Cottage, Yahoo News reports.
“It all feels very final and like a cruel punishment,” a friend of the Sussexes told The Sun. “It’s like [the family] want to cut them out of the picture for good.”
Prince Andrew ‘resisting’ calls to move into Frogmore Cottage, insider claims
09:47 , Andy Gregory
Prince Andrew is “resisting” calls for him to move into Frogmore Cottage, an insider has told The Sun.
The Duke of York was reportedly offered the keys to the royal residence last week, but according to the paper is “resolute” that he wants to remain at Royal Lodge, where he has lived for more than 20 years and shares with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
Sussexes ‘stunned’ by plans to move Prince Andrew into their former home
09:42 , Andy Gregory
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been left “stunned” by reported plans to move Prince Andrew into their former UK home, sources claim.
Sources allegedly close to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have claimed the couple are “stunned” by the decision, which comes shortly after the release of the duke’s controversial memoir Spare, and ahead of Charles and Camilla’s coronation in May.
My colleague Roisin O’Connor has the full report:
Harry and Meghan ‘stunned’ by plans ‘to move Prince Andrew into Frogmore Cottage’
Sussexes confirm they have been asked to move out of Frogmore Cottage
09:39 , Andy Gregory
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have confirmed that they have been asked to vacate Frogmore Cottage, the residence they were given by the late Queen following their marriage in 2018.
“We can confirm the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been requested to vacate their residence at Frogmore Cottage,” a spokesperson for the couple said in a statement issued late on Wednesday.
My colleague Amber Raiken has more details here:
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle respond to Frogmore Cottage reports
09:35 , Andy Gregory
Good morning, and welcome to The Independent’s live blog following reports that Prince Andrew has been offered the keys to Frogmore Cottage, the property formerly inhabited by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
