Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, made headlines in early 2019 when they relocated to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor ahead of the birth of their son, Prince Archie Harrison.
The couple, known for their high-profile moves, had the residence undergo significant renovation work prior to their arrival.
Recently, officials disclosed that the royal pair struck a deal with Buckingham Palace concerning the rent of Frogmore Cottage back in late 2020.
In a surprising turn of events, it was revealed that in September 2020, shortly after announcing a multi-year partnership with streaming giant Netflix, Meghan and Harry refunded the £2.4 million that had been allocated from the Sovereign Grant to renovate the Windsor cottage when they were newlyweds.
Despite having already relocated to the United States months earlier, the Palace confirmed that Frogmore Cottage would remain the official UK residence of Meghan, Harry, and Archie.
While initial reports indicated that the Sussexes would pay a commercial rate for the Windsor property, Palace officials clarified that the substantial payment made by the couple had effectively nullified their rental obligations, thereby enhancing the value of the cottage post-renovations.
A Palace spokesperson informed the Mail on Sunday that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle contributed £2.4 million to the Sovereign Grant, covering the refurbishment costs of Frogmore Cottage, and fulfilled all financial commitments related to the property.
The accounting treatment of the financial transaction underwent meticulous scrutiny and approval by the National Audit Office and the Treasury, adhering to the customary practices of the Sovereign Grant report.
As is typical in landlord-tenant agreements, specific details regarding the tenancy arrangements between the Sussexes and the Palace were deemed private matters, not subject to public disclosure.
Estimations suggest that Frogmore Cottage, where Meghan and Harry resided until mid-November 2019 before embarking on a six-week hiatus from royal duties in Canada and subsequently deciding to establish a more permanent residence in North America, could command an annual rental fee ranging between £150,000 to £230,000.
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