In the latest twist in the ongoing royal family drama, Prince Andrew has reportedly set his sights on Frogmore Cottage – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s former UK residence – to secure the property for his daughter, Princess Eugenie.
The cottage, which underwent a £2.4 million renovation before the Sussexes moved in, has sat empty since King Charles evicted the couple last summer. And now, according to inside sources, the Duke of York is making a play to have the property handed over to his daughter’s family.
“Andrew won’t move into Frogmore but is still trying to wangle it for his family,” a source told The Express. “Eugenie has stayed there on and off since Harry and Meghan left for America; she helped pack up their things.”
The insider claims that Eugenie, her husband Jack Brooksbank, and their two young children – 3-year-old August and 1-year-old Ernest – are the ones Andrew is hoping to install in the lavish Windsor home.
“She’s [Eugenie] stayed there several times since the Sussexes departed, and Andrew is trying to secure the property as a full-time home for his daughter,” the source explained.
It’s understood that the King has been keen for his younger brother to move into Frogmore Cottage, as Andrew’s current residence, the Royal Lodge, is proving extremely expensive to maintain. But the Duke has other plans.
“Eugenie and Jack’s hearts lie in the UK, and they need a bigger home for their family,” the source continued. “They adore Frogmore Cottage and have stayed there often, so making it into a full-time home makes sense.”
The insider added that while Andrew won’t be moving into the cottage, he’s determined to ensure his daughter and her growing family can call it home.
“Andrew knows Beatrice is settled, so he wants to make sure Eugenie finds a property that she can call a family home,” they said. “Although he won’t move out of Royal Lodge and into the cottage himself, he would still like to hold onto the property for his daughter.”
This development marks the latest twist in the ongoing royal real estate saga. In recent years, Frogmore Cottage has been home to several members of the Windsor clan, from the Sussexes to Princess Eugenie herself.
Built in 1801, the Grade II-listed property underwent an extensive renovation before Harry and Meghan’s occupancy. The couple later reimbursed the £2.4 million in taxpayer funds spent on the project.
The five-bedroom cottage features a modern, industrial-style kitchen, bright and airy living spaces, and views of the lush Windsor estate grounds. It’s easy to see why Eugenie, who has already spent considerable time there, would be eager to make it a permanent family home.
Of course, any move to install the York family at Frogmore Cottage would likely ruffle some feathers, particularly given the ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the royals. Harry and Meghan, who were controversially evicted from the property last year, may not take kindly to the prospect of Andrew’s clan moving in.
And with the Duke of York’s troubled past, including his association with the late Jeffrey Epstein, the idea of him retaining a royal residence is bound to stir up controversy.
Nonetheless, it seems Andrew is determined to secure the cottage for his daughter, perhaps viewing it as a way to solidify Eugenie’s position within the royal fold. Whether King Charles will acquiesce to his brother’s demands remains to be seen.
As the saga unfolds, one thing is clear: the royal real estate game is never dull. With Frogmore Cottage’s future again in flux, royal watchers will closely follow the latest developments in this ongoing family drama.