The mystery behind Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Frogmore Cottage

We're so confused!

Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Frogmore Cottage is empty again
(Image credit: Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images)

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank have mysteriously moved out of Frogmore Cottage just six weeks after moving in - so what exactly is wrong with Meghan and Harry's former home and why does nobody want to live there? We investigate...

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank at church

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank have moved out of Frogmore Cottage 

(Image credit: Getty)

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank were kindly given access to Frogmore Cottage by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, after the couple moved to America earlier this year.

It was thought Eugenie and Jack would raise their newborn baby at Frogmore Cottage and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were said to be “delighted” with the plan.

At the time, an insider told The Sun, “Frogmore Cottage continues to be [The Sussexes’] residence in the UK and they are delighted to be able to open up their home to Princess Eugenie and Jack as they start their own family.”

But, just six weeks after Eugenie and Jack moved into Frogmore Cottage, the couple have mysteriously moved out and returned to their former home at Kensington Palace - leaving Frogmore Cottage empty once more. 

While it seems a bit of a mystery as to why it appears nobody wants to live in Frogmore Cottage, there is an explanation behind it. 

According to The Sun, when the daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson moved into Frogmore Cottage, it came as a surprise to most senior royals - including the Queen, who traditionally approves all deals done within the royal family.

Queen looks reflective

The Queen approves all deals within the royal family 

(Image credit: Getty)

An insider revealed, “Senior royals were initially blindsided by the idea for Harry and Meg to let Eugenie and Jack move in. Obviously the Queen was told after the couples had spoken about the plan. But it is very much a deal done between Harry, Meghan, Eugenie and Jack.”

It is thought the Queen could have ordered the couple to move back to Kensington Palace until an official agreement had been drafted, though this is not yet confirmed.

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle felt isolated at Frogmore Cottage

(Image credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth - Pool/Getty Image)

It's no secret that Meghan was deeply unhappy at Frogmore Cottage as she became more and more scrutinised by the press during and after her pregnancy.

And some royal experts have alluded to the fact Eugenie may have wanted to avoid the same fate.

An insider told royal correspondent Katie Nicholl just how isolated Meghan felt during her time at Frogmore Cottage.

Frogmore cottage

Frogmore Cottage used to be home to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 

(Image credit: getty)

The insider revealed, “She was convinced there was a conspiracy against her and so she basically put herself in self-isolation when they moved to Frogmore.

“I think she felt like an outsider from the start.

“This wasn’t the life she was used to and she wanted out.”

Meghan Markle Prince Harry Archie Harrison

Meghan and Harry took Archie to live in America

(Image credit: Toby Melville/Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Despite rising intrigue as to why the couple have moved out of Frogmore Cottage, Princess Eugenie didn't hesitate in giving a rare glimpse into the Kensington Palace home she recently moved back into earlier this week in a video clip she shared on behalf of Teenage Cancer Trust to mark ICAP Charity Day.

In it, a pregnant Eugenie can be seen standing in front of foliage and a red bricked wall and said, "Hello everyone at ICAP, I just wanted to say thank you so much from me on behalf of the Teenage Cancer Trust, that I've been supporting for many years now.

“These people would be alone and not having the support that the Teenage Cancer Trust gives them.

“We just want to say a big thank you to you – you guys are amazing for doing this.”

The couple are expecting their first baby in early 2021, after announcing the exciting news earlier this year.

In a sweet Instagram post, Princess Eugenie shared a photograph of a pair of tiny baby shoes and wrote, “Jack and I are so excited for early 2021…”

Georgia Farquharson

Georgia writes across Woman & Home and Good to Know and specialises in all things royal. Previously labelled the "Queen of the royals," Georgia knows the whose who and what's what when it comes to the monarchy. When she's not eagerly following the royal family, Georgia enjoys shopping and self-care. She lives with this motto in mind; "if your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough."