The revelation of Meghan Markle's surprise at the lavish living conditions of Prince William and Princess Kate has surfaced as a contributing factor to the tensions between the two royal couples. This disclosure comes from royal commentator Robert Jobson, who detailed the scenario in his new biography, "Catherine, Princess of Wales."
When Prince Harry began dating Meghan, the couple moved into Nottingham Cottage, a modest two-bedroom property on the grounds of Kensington Palace. This move starkly contrasted with the living conditions of Prince William and Princess Kate, who resided in Apartment 1A, a 20-room residence within the main building of Kensington Palace. The disparity in living conditions was significant and reportedly contributed to underlying tensions.
In his memoir, "Spare," Prince Harry candidly shared his feelings about welcoming Meghan to his home. "I was excited to welcome Meg to my home, but also embarrassed. Nott Cott was no palace. Nott Cott was palace adjacent - that was the best you could say for it," he wrote. This sentiment highlights the stark difference between the living conditions of the two couples, a difference that became more evident when Harry and Meghan were invited for tea at William and Kate's "museum-like" residence.
Jobson's biography quotes a close source who remarked, "I am not saying Meghan was jealous, but she was surprised how lavishly Harry's brother was living compared to where they were living. It was perhaps the beginning of all the tensions between the couples." This surprise at the disparity in living conditions reportedly contributed to the strains within the royal family.
"Meghan understood, of course, that William was in the direct line of succession, but she felt that Harry, as a royal prince, deserved more than he had," Jobson wrote. This belief that Harry deserved better accommodations than what was provided at Nottingham Cottage added to the couple's frustrations.
The tension around living conditions eventually led Harry and Meghan to relocate to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, a 10-bedroom property, in preparation for the birth of their son, Prince Archie, in 2019. However, the dissatisfaction and underlying tensions persisted, contributing to their decision to step back from their roles as senior royals in January 2020.
By the summer of 2020, Harry and Meghan had moved to Montecito, California, seeking a fresh start away from the royal spotlight. Their son, Archie, now five years old, and their daughter, Princess Lilibet, born in June 2021 in Santa Barbara, have since been raised in their new American home.
The state of the royal residences and the perceived inequities therein have been an ongoing topic of discussion. The differences in accommodations highlight the broader issues of hierarchy and privilege within the royal family, which have been sources of contention for years. The move to Frogmore Cottage and later to California were attempts to find a living situation that matched their expectations and needs, away from the traditional royal constraints.
These revelations come at a time when the royal family continues to navigate internal dynamics and public perceptions. The contrast between the couples' living conditions has now been documented in both Harry's memoir and Jobson's biography, shedding light on one of the many factors that influenced Harry and Meghan's decision to step back from their royal duties.
