Gina Heslop
Prince Harry was reportedly very angry after feeling insulted by his father, King Charles. The incident revolves around Frogmore Cottage, a residence given to Harry and Meghan as a wedding gift from the late Queen Elizabeth.
After their royal wedding in 2018, Harry and Meghan initially lived at Kensington Palace but then moved to Frogmore Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Despite moving to the United States, Harry and Meghan made a payment of $3.3 million to the Royal Family in September 2020, covering the refurbishment costs of Frogmore Cottage, and retained rights to the property until March 2022.
Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse, confirmed that the payment covered all their obligations. The Royal Family’s website stated that Frogmore Cottage would remain the property of the Queen, and Harry and Meghan could continue to use it as their official residence with her permission.
However, after Queen Elizabeth’s death and King Charles’s ascension to the throne, things changed. As part of his plan to streamline the monarchy, King Charles decided to evict Harry and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage. Their spokesperson confirmed the news, and it was reported that the property had been offered to Prince Andrew, who resisted the move.
Royal expert Omid Scobie noted that King Charles was angry with Harry’s book and the release of the couple’s Netflix series, which likely influenced the eviction decision. This event reportedly marked a low point in Harry’s relationship with his family.
Friends of Harry and Meghan described the eviction as a cruel punishment, feeling it was a way for the family to cut them out for good. Harry was stunned by the decision and called his father, asking if he wanted to see his grandchildren. King Charles assured Harry they would always have somewhere to stay, but this did not give Harry much comfort.
Royal expert Tom Quinn suggested that Harry saw the eviction as vindictive. Harry and Meghan changed their primary residence as soon as they were evicted. The timing and manner of the eviction felt like a significant insult to Harry.
He was further upset that the property was offered to Prince Andrew. Scobie wrote that the eviction was partly due to Charles’s efforts to streamline the properties used by the royal family.
Harry and Meghan had described Frogmore Cottage as small and with low ceilings, which led to Harry often hitting his head.
Despite its imperfections, it was their safe place in the UK, surrounded by armed guards. The loss of Frogmore Cottage symbolized a final break with the UK and the royal family for Harry and Meghan.
