Harry and Meghan will start their family life in a new home. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to move to Frogmore Cottage, Windsor which will become their official residence ahead of the arrival of their first child next spring. Confirmation of their plans came from Kensington Palace just hours after Emily Andrews at The Sun revealed that Meghan and Harry had been given the historic property by the Queen and would be setting up home there within months.
The Sussexes have been living at Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace since announcing their engagement in November last year. They also rent a country home in the Cotswolds. The couple were widely expected to move to a larger property as their family grew and Apartment 1 at Kensington Palace had been talked about as a potential destination. Royal officials have now confirmed that while the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will remain at Kensington Palace, their official residence will be Frogmore Cottage.
Their new home is set within the Windsor estate, an area that the couple have already made their own. Their official engagement photos were taken at Frogmore while the evening reception following their marriage at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor in May this year was held at Frogmore House. The statement confirming the move said ”Windsor is a very special place for Their Royal Highnesses and they are grateful that their official residence will be on the estate”.
Frogmore Cottage itself is currently used as royal offices but will undergo extensive renovations to turn it back into a family home. It has the capacity for up to ten bedrooms while The Sun also reported possible plans for a gym and yoga room at the property. An actual figure for the transformation work hasn’t been given but the bill could run into six figures.
The two storey cottage which also features a parapet was built in the 19th century and is a Grade II listed building. Sitting in Windsor Home Park, it was once known as Double Garden Cottage and it is surrounded by lawns.
The exact date of the royal move isn’t yet known but it’s expected that the Sussex family will be settled in by spring of 2019.
