Royals plan to keep Frogmore Cottage as home

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex hope to keep Frogmore Cottage as their official UK residence despite announcing their plans to step back from Royal duties.

The Royal couple intend to keep the property in Home Park, Windsor, as ‘a place to call home in the United Kingdom’ as they prepare to spend more time abroad.

In a message posted online on Wednesday, January 8, the Duke and Duchess said they intend to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent.

A statement on their new sussexroyal.com website said the couple ‘will continue to use Frogmore Cottage – with the permission of Her Majesty The Queen – as their official residence’.

Last year it was revealed refurbishments on the cottage cost £2.4million. They were paid for using Sovereign Grant money, which is funded by

Crown Estate profits.

‘Constructive discussions’ took place between The Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry on Monday.

A statement released by Buckingham Palace from the Queen said: “My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.

“Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.

“It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.”