Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, reportedly felt that Prince Harry deserved a more luxurious lifestyle befitting his royal status when she first visited his modest residence at Nottingham Cottage. According to royal biographer Robert Jobson in his new book "Catherine, The Princess of Wales," Meghan was "taken aback" by the stark disparity between Harry's living conditions and those of his brother, Prince William.
When Meghan and Harry began their relationship, the Duke of Sussex was living in Nottingham Cottage, a relatively small two-bedroom home on the grounds of Kensington Palace. In contrast, Prince William and Kate Middleton resided in a spacious 20-room apartment, highlighting the significant difference in their living arrangements. Jobson writes that Meghan understood William's higher position in the royal hierarchy but felt that Harry, also a royal prince, deserved more materially.
"She was piqued by the disparity," Jobson noted. This sentiment was echoed by a close source who stated, "I am not saying Meghan was jealous, but she was really surprised how lavishly Harry's brother was living compared to where they were living."
Prince Harry himself felt embarrassed by the modesty of Nottingham Cottage when he first introduced Meghan to his home. In his memoir "Spare," published in 2023, Harry wrote, "I was excited to welcome Meg to my home, but also embarrassed. Nott Cott was no palace."
The couple later moved to Frogmore Cottage, a five-bedroom home gifted to them by Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding present. They undertook a £2.4 million renovation to make it their own, moving in during 2019. However, their stay was short-lived as they announced their decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 and eventually relocated to Montecito, California.
The move to the United States marked a significant shift in their lives. They purchased a £12 million mansion in Montecito, where they now raise their children, Archie and Lilibet. Despite this, Harry has made only a handful of trips back to the UK, primarily for family occasions such as the funerals of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, and to visit his father, King Charles, following his cancer diagnosis.
The transition to life in America has not been without its challenges. Harry and Meghan lost their taxpayer-funded security upon stepping down from royal duties, which has made Harry reluctant to bring his family back to the UK without adequate protection. In a written statement, Harry expressed his concerns, saying, "The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home, as much as where they live at the moment in the United States. That cannot happen if it's not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil."
Royal expert Tom Quinn suggests that Harry is struggling with his new life and misses his former role. "He is trained from birth to do one thing only - to be a Royal, and he has thrown that away," Quinn said. He added that while Harry supports Meghan's ventures wholeheartedly, he often finds himself with little to do on a day-to-day basis, leading to feelings of boredom and nostalgia for his previous life.
The couple's strained relationship with the royal family, particularly with Prince William, adds to Harry's internal conflict. Quinn believes that Harry's hopes for a reconciliation are becoming increasingly unlikely, prompting him to reconsider his approach. "He is upset that he's out in the cold more than ever and is beginning to think that his endless demands for apologies will have to be put on the back burner if some kind of truce is ever to be achieved," Quinn explained.
