The aspirations of Meghan Markle to establish residence in the historic Windsor Castle were diplomatically declined by Queen Elizabeth II, who instead allocated Frogmore Cottage to the Duchess and Prince Harry, indicating the importance of respecting royal boundaries and traditions.
Meghan, whose rise to global recognition came as Rachel Zane on the television series "Suits," had hoped to be granted living quarters in the storied castle following her marriage to Prince Harry. Despite her royal wedding at Windsor and her newfound status as Duchess, her request to reside within the castle walls was seen as unfitting by the Queen, as reported by The Times.
The monarch's suggestion to settle in Frogmore Cottage was not only a testament to royal protocol but also a gesture of considerable personal significance, as articulated by the late Lady Elizabeth Anson in Katie Nicholl's book "The New Royals." Anson, a close confidante of the Queen and a cherished member of the aristocracy until her passing in 2020, shed light on the gravity of the decision: "The Queen's entrance into the gardens is right next to their cottage. It is essentially her backyard, her solitude, and her privacy."
Her Majesty's move to offer the couple Frogmore Cottage, which neighbors her own secluded gardens, was a grand gesture-interpreted as both a welcoming gift and an expectation of respect for the privacy it afforded the monarch.
Despite the initial contentment with Frogmore, the Sussexes' residence there was short-lived. Following the publication of Harry's candid memoir "Spare," they vacated the property and embarked on a new chapter in Montecito, California, with their children Archie and Lilibet.
As the Duchess navigated the complexities of royal duties and expectations, she candidly revealed her trials in the documentary "Harry & Meghan" and during an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. Markle admitted to being unaware of the day-to-day responsibilities of a working royal and the weight of the titles bestowed upon her. "All the grandeur surrounding this stuff is an attachment I don't personally have," she declared, emphasizing her varied life experiences and the role of 'mom' as her most valued title.
Meghan's initial vision for royal life within the Windsor Castle walls underscores the continuous balancing act between royal privilege and protocol, a theme that has resonated through her and Prince Harry's journey away from their senior royal roles. Their story reflects the nuanced relationship between personal desires and the traditional structures within Britain's royal institution.
