August M
Living under the public eye means every financial choice faces intense scrutiny.
When high-profile public figures change their living arrangements, people naturally start asking questions about who is footing the bill. A closer look into one famous property reveals how a massive upfront payment completely changed the rules, reports The Express.
Shifting royal bills
Recent debates about royal housing have put Crown Estate rental agreements back under the microscope. The Express reported that a public inquiry is looking into how the family handles property dealings.
One specific Windsor property has caught everyone’s eye. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lived at Frogmore Cottage before walking away from official royal duties in 2020.
When they first moved in, the couple paid a standard commercial rent. That setup did not last long. After their dramatic royal exit, a brand new financial arrangement was hammered out.
Renovation as rent
As part of their exit agreement, Harry and Meghan paid back £2.4 million to cover the extensive renovations done on the cottage. That money originally came from British taxpayers through the Sovereign Grant.
Once that massive bill was paid off, the couple stopped making rent payments. Crown Estate bosses decided the upgrades significantly boosted its value. Essentially, the renovation work counted as rent in lieu.
The couple kept the cottage as their British base for a few years while relocating to North America. The Express reported they finally handed back the keys in 2023.
Memories of home
The Windsor property holds a lot of emotional value for the family. Hello! magazine reported that it was where they began life as parents after welcoming their son, Archie.
Prince Harry shared his fond memories of the home in his autobiography, Spare. “Meg and I moved our office into Buckingham Palace. We also moved into a new home. Frogmore was ready. We loved that place. From the first minute. It felt as if we were destined to live there,” he wrote.
The book also described their quiet morning routines. He wrote: “We couldn’t wait to wake up in the morning, go for a long walk in the gardens, check in with the swans. Especially grumpy Steve.” He noted that they got to know the Queen’s gardeners, who “were thrilled at how much we appreciated, and praised, their artistry.”
Today, the family lives in California. Without the cottage, they lack a permanent UK home. When Harry returns to Britain, reports suggest he stays in hotels or at Althorp House.
Sources: The Express, Hello!
