Confirmed: Prince Harry Has Been Asked to Vacate Frogmore Cottage in Windsor

This is a huge development in the ongoing family drama of the House of Windsor, just two months away from King Charles III's Coronation. 

It's now confirmed by the spokesperson of the Sussexes that Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is being asked to vacate his UK home, Frogmore Cottage.

Harry and Meghan asked to vacate Frogmore Cottage 

However, the spokesperson didn't confirm if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex will be given a new home in the UK.

It is necessary for Prince Harry to have a home in the United Kingdom to stay in the Council of State of his father. He should be domiciled in the UK to continue his role in the Privy Council or else he will be removed.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in September 2022

Currently, he is living in California with his wife Meghan Markle and their children Archie and Lilibet. Their last visit to the UK (without their children) was during the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September.

Frogmore Cottage in Windsor 

Frogmore Cottage is a Grade-II listed 10-bedroom property in the grounds of Windsor Castle in Berkshire. The home was a wedding gift to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from the late Queen in 2018.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle refurbished the property, owned by the Crown Estate, at an estimated cost of £2.4m in 2018-19. Initially covered by taxpayers through the Sovereign Grant, Prince Harry later repaid the expenses in full.

The Sussexes were reportedly told to leave the property by Buckingham Palace in January, days after Prince Harry published his bombshell memoir, SPARE, where he made several allegations against his family, particularly Prince William, the Prince of Wales. 

King Charles III offered Frogmore to Prince Andrew 

Weeks ago, a palace source stated that King Charles III planned to move his younger brother, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, to Frogmore Cottage. He wanted to cut the Grant for the Duke of York as he is no longer a working royal, which made Prince Andrew unable to afford the cost of living in the Royal Lodge. 

So, will they switch residences? No confirmation yet from Buckingham Palace regarding this speculation. 

Prince Andrew leased Royal Lodge for 75 years. He moved to this Crown Property in 2004, two years after the death of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

His former wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, also lived with him in the Royal Lodge since 2004.

Despite no longer working royals, Prince Andrew and Prince Harry retained their places in the line of succession to the British throne, and currently members of the State Council of King Charles III.

Will they attend the Coronation of the King this May? As royal dukes they are supposed to first pay homage to the king during the Coronation at Westminster Abbey, however, their attendance hasn't been confirmed yet. 

Updated: March 2, 2023

According to a royal insider, Prince Harry is preparing to take his remaining belongings from Frogmore Cottage.

The same royal insider says King Charles III is ready to hand over the keys of Frogmore Cottage to his younger brother, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.

King Charles III 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex 

However, Prince Andrew, according to sources is reluctant to move to Frogmore Cottage and has not yet accepted the King's offer for a home swap.

In 2004, he signed a 75-year lease agreement for the Royal Lodge. Currently, he lives in the 30-bedroom mansion with his former wife, Sarah, Duchess of York.

Moving to Frogmore, which only has 10 rooms, and relatively smaller than the Royal Lodge, means downgrading his home. 

Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park

What's the reason why King Charles III offered Frogmore Cottage to Prince Andrew?

The Duke of York is no longer a working royal, so King Charles III planned to cut his younger brother's Grant (formerly known as Civil List), which makes Prince Andrew unable to maintain Royal Lodge, thus, he needs to move to another home that's not costly to maintain.

It's not clear however, if King Charles III will give his youngest son another home in the UK. As 5th in line of succession to the British throne, the Duke of Sussex retains his place in the State Council, thus, needed to be domiciled in the United Kingdom.