Meghan Markle and Prince Harry make pivotal move to cut ties with UK after Royal Family demand

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as working members of the Royal Family in 2020

PA
Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 29/06/2023

- 08:58

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as working members of the Royal Family in 2020

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have made a pivotal move to cut ties with the UK by finally clearing out Frogmore Cottage and handing back the keys.

The royal residence was the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's base in England but King Charles requested that the couple vacate the property as soon as possible.


Harry and Meghan's remaining possessions were shipped to their California mansion this week just days before the deadline to leave Frogmore.

The move is particularly poignant as the Sussexes will no longer have a base in the UK.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

The move is particularly poignant as the Sussexes will no longer have a base in the UK.

PA

The couple may have to rely on hotels or friends when they travel to England.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were given use of the five-bedroom Frogmore Cottage by the Queen as a wedding present in 2018.

Meghan and Harry have barely lived in the royal residence over the last three years.

The Sussexes were originally given just several weeks to pack up their belongings from their UK home.

However, after negotiations, it was agreed they would have until after the Coronation to move out.

Meghan and Prince Harry were first told they would need to leave the property just one day after the Duke of Sussex's autobiography was released.

Earlier this year, a spokesperson for the Sussexes confirmed the couple have been asked to leave their UK base, saying: "We can confirm The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been requested to vacate their residence at Frogmore Cottage."

There has been speculation that King Charles will ask Prince Andrew to move out of the Royal Lodge and into Frogmore Cottage.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Meghan and Prince Harry were first told they would need to leave the property just one day after the Duke of Sussex's autobiography was released.

PA

Meghan and Harry's UK home would be a "cold shower" for Prince Andrew, according to a royal biographer.

Royal commentator Tom Bower told the Daily Mail that Prince Andrew "needs to come to terms with his fate".

Bower said: “I think the King is right. He’s got to slim down the number of houses in the royal portfolio and Andrew has got to come to terms with his fate.

"He can no longer live like a Duke. Frogmore will be a cold shower for him, but he’s just got to take it.”

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