Frogmore Cottage has been at the center of a financial arrangement between Buckingham Palace and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The property, which underwent a substantial renovation funded by the Sovereign Grant, prompted questions about rent and the use of public money. The couple later took steps to settle the costs associated with the improvements, and Buckingham Palace indicated that some details of ongoing rental arrangements would remain private, consistent with standard practice in landlord-tenant relationships involving the Royal Household.
The couple contributed a payment of 2.4 million pounds toward the Sovereign Grant to cover the scale of the renovation expenses for Frogmore Cottage. This payment was described as meeting their financial obligations related to the property, and it triggered a routine audit conducted by the National Audit Office to verify the accounting records surrounding the expenditure. The audit assessed how funds were allocated and used in the process of renovating the home that would later be associated with their residence.
Historically, the agreement included a potential rent range for Frogmore Cottage, estimated between 150,000 and 230,000 pounds per year. When the existing lease reached its expiry, there was no renewal of the tenancy under the same commercial terms. The decision reflected ongoing considerations about the role and duties of senior members of the royal family and the arrangements for housing in the royal estate after major public changes in the royal household’s structure.
Frogmore Cottage has long been recognized as the residence linked to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following their marriage and the substantial renovations that prepared the home for their occupancy. After the couple announced in 2020 their intention to step back from certain royal duties, Buckingham Palace outlined that rental arrangements would continue on a commercial basis. Subsequently, the couple fulfilled their financial obligations related to the property by contributing 2.4 million pounds toward renovation costs, and the matter proceeded to standard audit and oversight processes as part of public accountability for the Sovereign Grant and related expenditures.
The ultimate determination regarding the tenancy and the specific terms of housing within the royal estate reflects a balance between financial responsibility, constitutional arrangements, and the evolving roles of members of the royal family. While certain operational details remain confidential, the broader framework shows a structured approach to managing royal properties, stewardship of public funds, and adherence to established governance practices that guide royal housing and expenditures.