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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: From Nottingham Cottage to California Dreaming

Prince Harry and ‘s journey through royal life has been anything but ordinary, especially when it comes to their homes.

Their first shared residence, Nottingham Cottage, often referred to as Not-Cot, was prominently featured in their Netflix docuseries.

However, a recent book reveals that the Duchess of Sussex had her reservations about the quaint royal abode.

Nestled on the grounds of Kensington Palace, Nottingham Cottage has a rich royal history.

It served as the home for and Princess Catherine shortly after their wedding in 2011, where they welcomed their first child, Prince George.

In 2013, Harry moved into the two-bedroom cottage, which became a significant backdrop for his blossoming romance with Meghan.

It was here that he proposed to her, marking a pivotal moment in their love story.

Despite its charm, Meghan reportedly found the cottage lacking in space and luxury.

According to royal author Tom Quinn’s book, Yes Ma’am, The Secret Life of Royal Servants, she felt the modest size of Nottingham Cottage reflected how the royal family viewed Harry.

A staff member quoted in the book noted that Meghan struggled to grasp the royal family’s understated approach to material possessions, which contrasted sharply with her own expectations.

Harry, on the other hand, held a different perspective.

He didn’t see Nottingham Cottage as a downgrade, despite its smaller size compared to other royal residences.

Yet, Meghan couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast between their living situation and that of William and Catherine, who enjoyed a more lavish lifestyle just a stone’s throw away.

In his memoir, Spare, Harry candidly shared his mixed feelings about introducing Meghan to Nottingham Cottage.

He described the home as far from a palace, which made him feel self-conscious.

The couple’s time there was marked by Meghan’s dissatisfaction, especially as they observed other royals living in opulence nearby.

In 2019, the couple decided to leave Nottingham Cottage behind and moved to Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor Castle estate.

This new residence was a wedding gift from the late II, intended to provide a comfortable home for the couple ahead of the birth of their son, .

However, even this gesture didn’t fully satisfy Meghan’s expectations.

Reports from The Times indicate that Meghan and Harry initially hoped to live within Windsor Castle itself.

They inquired about the possibility of securing private quarters inside the castle, where only the Queen and had apartments.

However, the Queen deemed their request inappropriate, instead offering them Frogmore Cottage, a significant gesture of goodwill.

Royal expert Katie Nicholl, in her book The New Royals, emphasized the meaningfulness of the Queen’s gift.

Frogmore Cottage was located adjacent to the private gardens that the Queen cherished, making it a personal offering.

Lady Elizabeth Anson, a cousin of the Queen, remarked on the importance of this gesture, highlighting that it was a space closely tied to the Queen’s solitude and privacy.

Despite the generous offer of Frogmore Cottage, Harry and Meghan eventually made the bold move to California in early 2020 after stepping back from their royal duties.

Initially, they planned to keep Frogmore Cottage as their UK base.

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