Prince Harry and Meghan Markle faced a significant setback in early 2023 when King Charles III decided to evict them from Frogmore Cottage, their UK residence. This decision followed the release of Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” which contained candid revelations about the British Royal Family which sparked plenty of controversy around the world.
Frogmore Cottage, a four-bedroom property in Windsor, was gifted to the couple by the late Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding present. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had intended to retain it for their visits to the UK.
The eviction left Harry particularly annoyed, prompting him to reach out to his father with a heartfelt plea. According to royal author Omid Scobie, Harry asked King Charles: “Don’t you want to see your grandchildren?” The King reportedly responded with a “half-hearted declaration” that they would always have “somewhere” to stay.
Reports suggest that Princess Anne played a pivotal role in advising King Charles on this decision. Scobie claims that Anne was “at the forefront of the supporters of the firm approach” adopted by the Palace, influencing the King’s choice to proceed with the eviction.
Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have resided in Montecito, California. Official documents indicate that Harry’s United States residency began on June 29, 2023, coinciding with Buckingham Palace’s confirmation of their departure from Frogmore Cottage.
Meghan’s visits to the UK have been infrequent, with her last return in September 2022. The couple brought their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the UK for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. While Harry has made several trips to the UK and met with his father in February 2023, a reunion with his brother, Prince William, has yet to occur.
The eviction from Frogmore Cottage marks a further strain in the relationship between Prince Harry and the royal family, raising questions about future interactions and the possibility of reconciliation.