HARRY AND MEGHAN GIVE TAXPAYERS BACK £ 2.4M FOR RENOVATION COSTS
PRINCE Harry and Meghan have dipped into their bumper Netflix payout and repaid the £ 2.4million cost of renovating Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.
The decision to bow to public pressure came after the couple agreed a £ 75million five- year deal to make TV shows for the US streaming giant.
A spokesman for the couple said yesterday: “A contribution has been made to the Sovereign Grant by the Duke of Sussex.
“This contribution, as originally offered by Prince Harry, has fully covered the necessary renovation costs of Frogmore Cottage, a property of Her Majesty The Queen, and will remain the UK residence of the Duke and his family.”
Harry, 35, and Meghan, 39, had been under pressure from MPs and the British public to repay the cash after they quit royal duties and moved to Los Angeles with son Archie. Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, insisted the couple should now give up their rights to the property. He said: “Harry and Meghan still expect British taxpayers to provide luxury accommodation, always available for whenever they choose to visit. Perhaps they should get a loyalty card with Travelodge and save the taxpayer more wasted money?”
THIS could be a Netflix series. A prince and his consort move into a cottage then use £ 2.4million of public money to tart it up. Cue a public rumpus and the pair flounce off, hurt.
Now Prince Harry is to pay back that swingeing bill. Called a “contribution”, to no doubt show its voluntary nature, it has been made to the Royal’s Sovereign Grant fund.
Frogmore will still be the UK home for Harry, Meghan and baby Archie but this farrago must have taught the Prince a valuable Royal lesson – that if you want to be private, then pay privately.