King Charles Frogmore Decision Resurfaces As Prince Harry and Meghan Return to UK
King Charles previous decision regarding Frogmore Cottage has returned to the spotlight as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly returned to the UK for an extended period, with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, also said to have started the autumn school term in Britain.
The Sussexes latest move has brought renewed attention to the King’s decision to ask the couple to leave Frogmore Cottage in 2023. The property had been given to Harry and Meghan by Queen Elizabeth ahead of their 2018 wedding. The couple had previously lived at Nottingham Cottage within Kensington Palace before moving into the Windsor residence.
Frogmore Cottage was a grace-and-favour property belonging to the Crown Estate, but Harry and Meghan were asked to leave following the publication of Harry’s memoir, Spare, which contained several highly personal revelations about members of the Royal Family.
The timing of the decision has now attracted renewed attention because Harry and Meghan are reportedly looking to establish themselves in Britain again, with claims that they have found a new home in the Cotswolds.
The Cotswolds is traditionally associated with affluent residents and wealthy Londoners who own second homes in the picturesque countryside, making it an attractive location for people seeking a quieter lifestyle away from major cities.
Harry also has a strong connection to the region. His father, King Charles, continues to have a country residence there, Highgrove House, where the Duke of Sussex spent much of his childhood.
The area also has a connection to Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, with her family home at Althorp located within reach of the Cotswolds, adding another personal link for the Duke as he reportedly settles back into life in Britain.
Harry and Meghan were reportedly spotted in the area ahead of Jay-Z’s two London performances on September 4 and 5, further fuelling speculation about their new base in the UK.
However, news of the couple’s relocation has reportedly received a mixed reaction from local residents, with public opinion surrounding the Sussexes remaining divided following their departure from royal duties and their subsequent criticism of the Royal Family.
Polling has indicated that Meghan, 45, remains unpopular with a significant section of the British public, while Harry, 41, has also faced criticism following the publication of Spare, in which he detailed a number of grievances involving his family.
Nevertheless, some residents have welcomed the possibility of Harry rebuilding relationships with his family. Rachael Jones, 57, from near Burford, said she hoped the reported move, along with a possible rapprochement with King Charles, could eventually help repair the Duke’s relationship with his older brother, Prince William.
“Any coming-together in a family is lovely. It’s a good example to the country,” Jones said, expressing hope that the Sussexes’ return could eventually contribute to a wider reconciliation within the Royal Family.
The precise location of Harry and Meghan’s reported new home remains unclear, although the couple are expected to retain their Montecito mansion and their property in Portugal. Former Highgrove gardener Charles Davis, 65, meanwhile, suggested that Harry’s return to the area could be a natural choice because of his deep connection to the region.
“Harry will want to come back. It’s his home,” Davis said, recalling the Duke’s fondness for the nearby Rattlebone Inn in Sherston. The Cotswolds has also attracted a number of high-profile names over the years, including David and Victoria Beckham, Ellen DeGeneres and Liam Gallagher, while reports have previously linked Beyoncé and Jay-Z to a potential property purchase in the area.
