Harry and Meghan had a big wish for their wedding gift, "to live in Windsor Castle", the Queen's historic residence. But the Queen was not amused by their bold request and politely but firmly turned them down.
She suggested they live in Frogmore Cottage instead, a former staff house near the castle. The Queen and Prince Philip were the only royals who had private apartments in the castle, while others lived in different properties on the estate.
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According to Express, Frogmore Cottage was a generous gift from the Queen to Harry and Meghan, who got married in 2018. The Queen gave up part of her own backyard to accommodate the couple, hoping they would appreciate her kindness.
The cottage needed extensive renovations, which cost the British taxpayers £2.4 million. Harry and Meghan moved in a month before their son Archie was born. They stayed there for less than a year as working royals before they left for North America. They recently lost their lease on the cottage.
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The Queen's rejection of Harry and Meghan's castle request was seen by some as a sign of trouble in the royal family. It happened two years before Harry and Meghan decided to step back from their senior royal roles and move abroad. Harry admitted he had difficulties with his brother William and his father King Charles.
Royal expert Hugo Vickers defended the Queen's decision, saying there were empty rooms and suites in the castle that Harry and Meghan may have wanted. But he said it was not appropriate for the young family to live there.
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Royal writer Katie Nicholl said the Frogmore Cottage gift was a meaningful gesture by the Queen. She said the Queen sacrificed her privacy and solitude for Harry and Meghan. Some thought the cottage was a second-best option after the castle request was denied.
There were also rumors that William and Kate rejected Frogmore Cottage before Harry and Meghan got it. They chose to live in Adelaide Cottage, another property near the castle. But some sources denied there was any rivalry or jealousy over the housing arrangements.
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Harry and Meghan expected to get the best royal property for their status. But the Queen had the final say over who lived where. Asking to live in her castle was seen as crossing the line. Giving them Frogmore Cottage was a way of respecting the royal resources and giving them their own country home.
The castle request still echoes today. Some think Harry and Meghan were insensitive and entitled. Others think the Queen was not welcoming enough to Harry's wife. Either way, the Queen's denial was a clear statement on the royal order. The message - there are boundaries, even for popular young royals.
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