When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot in 2018, they received the most lavish gifts there is. Although some came in the form of donations to their chosen charities, Queen Elizabeth II gave them the most special present of all.
Queen Elizabeth gave Prince Harry and Meghan Markle a house where they could start to build their own family. However, this property--Frogmore Cottage--is now a subject of controversy after the Sussexes decided to step down as senior royals earlier this year.
Frogmore Cottage is a 19th Century Grade II-listed building in the grounds of Winsor Castle. When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were still in the United Kingdom, a Kensington Palace spokesman revealed that it was an extraordinary place for the couple, Mirror Online noted.
Before they officially moved into their new house, they had it renovated, which cost about £2.4 million taxpayer money. Sovereign Grant funded the renovation with the help of designer Vicky Charles.
They turned the building into a house that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle dreamt of. Charles helped with the decorations of the home, even the nursery of their son, Archie Harrison Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, and their yoga studio. Charles was also the one behind the design of the pair's favorite hangout place, Soho Farmhouse.
However, today, Frogmore Cottage became a subject of a huge debate after Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle left the monarchy. Despite their decision to step back from their royal duties, they said they wanted to keep the house so that they would remain to have a place in the U.K.
But, it was put into question as they would no longer do their public duties, given that the Sovereign Grant funded it and they wanted to be privately funded. Now, part of the deal was they would be paying for its renovation cost.
Mail on Sunday reported that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have started their repayment process. However, a Buckingham Palace spokesman told Town & Country that they would not reveal the details of any of their agreements.
A representative for the couple also did not comment on their personal finances. Victoria Murphy, who made a report about the house's renovation last year, said while the structural work caused the taxpayers £2.4 million, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also had their share in the house. According to her, they paid for their own furniture and interior decoration.
