Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Paid $3.3M For Frogmore Cottage Rent, Renovations

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a contribution to the Sovereign Grant by paying millions for the Frogmore Cottage rental and renovations, a report has revealed.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now based in Los Angeles. They are living in their $14 million mansion in Montecito with their son Archie and daughter baby Lili. But they still consider Frogmore Cottage as their home in the U.K. and even paid $3.3 million for its rental and renovations in September 2020.

"The payment covers all their current obligations," Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse, said at the launch of an annual report into the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant that finances the royal family's public duties on Wednesday, People reported.

"We are confident that it represents a good outcome," he continued.

Prince Harry and Markle made the payment as part of their plans to be financially independent from the royal family. Their contribution also came at a time when the royals' income dropped due to the pandemic. For instance, their tourism-related income dropped by $53%.

"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made a substantial contribution to the Sovereign Grant that covered the refurbishment costs of Frogmore Cottage," Stevens added. "It should also be remembered also that this payment has come in the current year at a time where our supplementary income has reduced dramatically. [Harry and Meghan's payment] has helped to offset the reduction that we would have seen."

Frogmore Cottage was Prince Harry and Markle's official residence until March 31, 2020, when they stopped being working royals on behalf of the Queen. They paid five month's rent on the property before providing the lump sum of $3.3 million.

Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, have moved in to the residence shortly before they welcomed their son, August. Meanwhile, Prince Harry stays there whenever he returns to the U.K. It was where he quarantined ahead of Prince Philip's funeral in April.

The Duke of Sussex is expected to stay in Frogmore Cottage again when he returns to his home country by the end of the month for the unveiling of Princess Diana's statue on July 1. Prince Harry’s next trip to the U.K. will be quick because he wants to return to Markle immediately as they just welcomed their daughter on July 4.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II at the Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace on June 26, 2018 in London, England. The Queen's Young Leaders Programme, now in its fourth and final year, celebrates the achievements of young people from across the Commonwealth working to improve the lives of people across a diverse range of issues including supporting people living with mental health problems, access to education, promoting gender equality, food scarcity and climate change. Photo: John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images