The renovation of Frogmore Cottage, the home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has finally been completed. A report has released that the cost of the upgrade amounted to $3 million (£2.4 million) in public funds.
A source from Buckingham Palace confirmed to People that improvements to the five-bedroom home within the Windsor Castle estate have finished. The same source also revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan additionally spent their own money to spruce up their new digs, on top of the expenses paid for by the U.K. government.
As a historical structure, upgrades to the actual building, as well as the landscaping and light fixtures within Frogmore Cottage, are shouldered by the Queen's Sovereign Grant. It is part of the $63 million funding that the U.K. Government provided for the conservation work of England's significant old buildings. However, additional upgrades that may be regarded as too expensive, like a state-of-the-art kitchen, has to come from the pockets of Prince Harry and Meghan.
"All fixtures and fittings were paid for by their Royal Highnesses," the source said. "Curtains, furnishings - all that would be paid separately, paid privately."
Despite earlier reports that the improved Frogmore Cottage has a yoga studio with a springing floor, the palace source said that none of these lifestyle extras were adapted in the old house. However, the reason the upgrades escalated to millions in public money was that the building's ceiling beams needed to be replaced.
The residential site also had outdated gas, heating, and electrical systems that no longer meet modern environmental standards. Thus, these features were also replaced, rewired, and repaired for safety reasons.
Frogmore Cottage was built in the 1800s and has not had any substantial repair for many years. It was turned into a five-unit apartment before Prince Harry and Meghan decided they would live here with their baby, Archie Harrison. The Sussex has made the place into a single-family home.
In comparison, the Sovereign Grant spent double the amount in 2014 when Kensington Palace, the home of Prince William and Kate Middleton, underwent renovations, per Town and Country. The Cambridge royals also had to shoulder some expenses that were not covered in the Sovereign Grant.
In essence, Brtaxpayerspayers shoulder at least £.74 per person to fund the Sovereign Grant, per the Queen's Treasure, Sir Michael Stevens. This also covers travel expenses for the royal family.
