Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Demolished Cottage at Frogmore

Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, is vastly different from their current Montecito residence where they live with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The Sussexes were known for living in one of the less grand royal properties. However, there’s another charming cottage on the estate that has largely been overlooked by royal enthusiasts.

The vast Windsor Park estate was once the site of The Hermitage, a quaint country home. Designed by Princess Elizabeth, the third daughter of George III, the Hermitage was inhabited by the Princess until her death in 1840.

The Royal Collection Trust provides information about this cottage, which has been immortalized in a beautiful watercolour painting by Samuel Howitt.

According to Howitt, the Hermitage was constructed in 1775 at the cost of £44,000, and the artwork was later acquired by Queen Elizabeth II.

The Royal Collection Trust further details that a description from 1823 notes the interior was lined with moss and furnished with wooden utensils, rough seats, a table with imitation fruit, and a picture of a venerable hermit gracing one corner.

Although The Hermitage no longer exists, Frogmore Cottage remains an integral part of the royal property portfolio.

Covering over 5,000 square feet, Frogmore Cottage includes four bedrooms, a nursery, and four bathrooms. The renovations to modernize the cottage reportedly cost £2.4 million, which was funded by the Sovereign’s Grant under the direction of Prince Harry and Meghan.

After moving to the United States, the couple repaid the renovation costs.

The home featured a modern kitchen with a large island and atmospheric downlighting. The spacious garden was a place where Prince Harry enjoyed playing with their dogs.

The estate holds special memories as it was not only their first married home but the neighboring Frogmore House was the backdrop for their engagement photoshoot.

From November 2020 to May 2022, Princess Eugenie sub-let the home from Prince Harry before she and her husband Jack Brooksbank moved to the Algarve.

In March 2023, Eugenie’s father Prince Andrew was offered Frogmore Cottage in exchange for surrendering his lease on Royal Lodge.

Source: Getty, Netflix, PA Images, Royal Collection Trust