Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Left Taxpayer-Funded Frogmore Cottage & Now Live in a $14.7M Estate

Before Meghan Markle and Prince Harry moved to America, the couple renovated Frogmore Cottage in the United Kingdom. The historic home is significantly different from their Los Angeles mansion—here is a glimpse of both.

While Meghan and Harry no longer reside in the UK, they took a family trip across the pond in 2022 for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The royal couple was delighted to spend time with the Queen. It was a memorable trip because their two kids, son Archie and daughter Lilibet, traveled with them, and it was the first meeting between Queen Elizabeth and her namesake granddaughter.

Harry's family took residence in the cozy Frogmore Cottage, where Princess Eugenie now lives. However, the royal princess and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, were not in the country. They journeyed to Portugal for the festivities.

Princess Eugenie's family was in Lisbon because of her husband's new job working for property tycoon Mike Meldman. They are believed to have a good relationship with the Sussexes and have previously visited them in America.

Meghan and Harry were dedicated to creating home environments that were highly private and shielded from the public. Their $14.7 million property in California's prestigious Montecito neighborhood is stunning and exclusive.

The royal couple wanted a place where they could raise their kids, and the Santa Barbara abode with nine bedrooms and 16 bathrooms met their needs. The mega-mansion was built in 2003, and it is located on more than seven acres.

Frogmore Cottage offered the couple something equally private. The home, located within the Windsor security zone, was secluded and far away from peering eyes. In 2018, a source shared, "Frogmore is just lovely and will be a beautiful place for the Sussexes to bring up their child. It's not that far from London ... Harry and Meghan are incredibly happy and deservedly so."

While the exterior of the royal couple's Montecito home is impressive, the interior is even more breathtaking. The actress, a lover of interior decorating, perfected every corner of their home.

Fans saw glimpses inside the couple's home offices and the books they had stored on the shelf. They showcased a copy of "A Photographer's Life; 1990-2005" by Annie Leibovitz and "Women: National Geographic Image Collection."

Geared with a fireplace, a rustic wooden desk, and stylish chairs, the office was stunning. Their rooms also appeared to have a neutral theme with muted tones that offered an aesthetically pleasing feeling.

The artwork seen on their walls was striking as three similar-looking paintings hung behind Meghan and completed the room. Candles, flowers, and striped pillows also provided finishing touches that were fit for a prince.

Meghan spent a lot of time in her home study and made sure inspiring pieces surrounded her. As a working mother advocating for better childcare support, she crafted and shared important messages, often from the comfort of her home.

She said, "Families everywhere, and especially working moms, are asked to shoulder so much. Creating a stronger workforce starts with meeting the needs of families."

Meghan looked regal as she sat behind her large desk alongside her sleeping dog. Despite the cozy nature of the space, it also had a classic edge. White crystal homeware, golden vases, and a floral tray with a Burleigh teacup were just some of the unmissable items in the actress's workspace. Meghan's style was noticeable and suited to her attention to detail.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have a garden and pool area that most people only see in their dreams. Fit with sun loungers, umbrellas, and crystal clear water, the outside of their home is perfect for sunbathing and relaxation.

The couple was seated on a small wooden bench framed by idyllic pine and cypress trees in a video. Their modern chateau certainly didn't disappoint, and it is rumored that Harry added a special touch to their garden.

Sources believe the royal planted forget-me-nots in honor of his late mom, Princess Diana. The pair's abode also has an unexpected final feature—a wine cellar!

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry might have a place to call home in America now, but the duo initially had plans to live in the United Kingdom permanently. They opted to live in Frogmore Cottage, named for the marshy lands that attracted many amphibians. The abode became their first family home after the Queen offered it in 2018.

They moved in shortly before Archie was born and completed various renovations before their arrival. The cottage was said to be "pretty dilapidated" and in need of work. To suit Meghan and Harry's desires for the home, refurbishments included a yoga studio, a glamourous double staircase, and new grand fireplaces.

The cottage was also significantly remodeled and changed from five separate living quarters into one large official residence. Meghan hired Soho House's interior designer Vicky Charles to assist with reworking the space.

The home changes cost millions and were paid for by taxpayers through the sovereign grant. However, the couple also contributed to the fees, and they agreed to repay the costs over an extended period.

When the couple was still working as royals, they received 95% of their annual income from the King and the other 5% came from taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant. When they stepped down from their duties King Charges gave them "a substantial sum" which they invested into their Archewell charitable foundation, along with commercial agreements with other companies.

Some of these investments were seen in Harry's book deal for his book "Spare" which sold 629,300 print copies in its first week in the U.S., though it didn't surpass former President Obama’s record of 831,300 copies.

Despite this, "Spare" achieved significant sales, and Harry committed to donating a portion of the proceeds to charity, with around $671,000 going to WellChild and $1.5 million to Sentebale, an organization he co-founded.

Additionally, the couple's deal with Netflix has produced notable projects. They released two docuseries, "Live to Lead" and "Harry & Meghan," the latter breaking viewership records while also facing critical scrutiny. An animated show, "Pearl," was canceled before its release, but "Heart of Invictus" is anticipated later this year. Their foray into podcasting with Spotify’s "Archetypes" also saw initial success, briefly topping the charts.

The couple also had Harry’s inheritance from Princess Diana, estimated at $10 million. This, combined with their media projects, has formed the backbone of their post-royal income. Despite speculation, Harry is not known to have benefited from the $100 million left by the Queen Mother, and any inheritance from Queen Elizabeth II remains undisclosed, with her will sealed for decades.

The exact profits from their book and Netflix deals are not publicly disclosed, but these endeavors represent significant steps in the couple's new life outside the royal framework, blending their philanthropic interests with commercial success.

The cottage has a rich history dating back to 1680 when Charles II started its development. Edward VIII and his wife, Wallis Simpson, were buried on the grounds, and it also houses Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's mausoleum.

In 2022, it was revealed that the pair extended their lease on the property with a 12-month rolling deal. Reportedly they pay "just shy of £18,000 (about $22,500) a month to keep Frogmore as their official British base." While they will still be based in the United States, the couple's desire to spend more time in Britain will most likely please the Queen.

Prince Harry's home country will always mean the world to him, and he undoubtedly wants to give his kids a chance to see where he grew up. By holding onto Frogmore Cottage, the Sussexes will always have a home away from home.