Since stepping back from their senior roles in the British Royal Family in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have encountered several moments of tension with the monarchy. These moments have been compounded by both public scrutiny and private decisions regarding their royal accommodations and titles, including matters related to their children.
One of the most significant developments occurred in early 2023, when the couple was formally asked to vacate Frogmore Cottage, a royal residence on the Windsor estate. The decision followed the release of Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, which offered candid reflections on his personal experiences growing up in the royal family.
Source: BBC News – https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-64807395
Source: Royal.uk – https://www.royal.uk
The End of the Frogmore Cottage Lease
Frogmore Cottage, located in Windsor Home Park, was originally gifted to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex by Queen Elizabeth II. The couple used the property as their UK base, even after moving to the United States in 2020. It was renovated using taxpayer funds via the Sovereign Grant, though Harry and Meghan later reimbursed the costs, as confirmed by official palace statements.
In March 2023, it was confirmed that King Charles III had asked the couple to vacate the property. According to reporting by the BBC and The Telegraph, this decision was made shortly after the publication of Spare in January, which included critical commentary on senior members of the royal family.
“We can confirm The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been requested to vacate their residence at Frogmore Cottage,” a spokesperson for the couple said at the time.
Source: The Guardian – https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/01/prince-harry-meghan-markle-asked-to-vacate-frogmore-cottage
Although the exact reasons for the eviction were not publicly disclosed by Buckingham Palace, commentators widely linked the timing of the decision to the content of Harry’s memoir.
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Emotional Impact and Public Response
While neither Harry nor Meghan has spoken publicly in detail about the emotional response to being asked to vacate Frogmore, royal correspondents have reported that the couple viewed the decision as a significant and symbolic severance of their remaining ties to royal life in the UK.
According to sources cited by The Times and People Magazine, Harry was “deeply upset” by the move, viewing the eviction as a loss of the last royal home he and his family had access to in Britain. The decision reportedly added to the couple’s ongoing feeling of estrangement from the monarchy.
“To be asked to leave Frogmore was a real blow. It felt final,” said a source close to the couple.
Source: People – https://people.com
Title Issues: Archie and Lilibet’s Royal Status
Another point of tension involved the formal recognition of titles for the couple’s children, Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex. According to long-standing royal conventions, grandchildren of the reigning monarch are eligible for princely titles. These rules were established in King George V’s Letters Patent of 1917, and thus, upon King Charles III’s accession in September 2022, Harry and Meghan’s children were expected to be updated with royal titles.
However, the announcement did not come immediately, leading to widespread media speculation and public debate. It wasn’t until March 2023, six months after the Queen’s passing, that Buckingham Palace updated its official website to reflect the children’s titles as Prince and Princess.
“The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch,” a spokesperson for the Sussexes said in a statement to confirm the change.
Source: CNN – https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/09/uk/archie-lilibet-prince-princess-sussex-intl-gbr/index.html
While the change was eventually made, the delay was seen by some as another sign of strained relations, leaving the Sussexes feeling that their family had been treated inconsistently compared to other members of the royal family.
Prince Harry’s Memoir and Royal Fallout
The publication of Spare was a major turning point in Prince Harry’s relationship with the royal institution. In the book, he provides an unfiltered perspective on his upbringing, the loss of Princess Diana, and internal royal dynamics. While many praised Harry’s openness and vulnerability, others—including palace officials—were reportedly concerned about the implications of his revelations.
Although Harry made it clear that his intention was not to attack his family but to tell his story, the result has been increased tension between him and senior royals, especially King Charles III and Prince William.
Source: Penguin Random House – https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/734656/spare-by-prince-harry-the-duke-of-sussex/
Ongoing Challenges and Hopes for Reconciliation
Despite the emotional toll of recent developments, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue to advocate for mental health, social justice, and global humanitarian causes through their foundation, Archewell. They have also maintained a limited public presence, focusing on their family life in California with Archie and Lilibet.
In interviews, Prince Harry has expressed hope for healing and reconciliation with his family, but acknowledged that it will take time and willingness from all parties involved.
“I would like to have my father back. I would like to have my brother back,” Harry said in a 2023 ITV interview ahead of his book launch.
Source: ITV News – https://www.itv.com/news/2023-01-09/prince-harry-wants-his-father-and-brother-back
Conclusion: A Royal Rift Still Unresolved
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s removal from Frogmore Cottage and the delayed update of their children’s titles serve as reminders of the deep divisions that remain between them and the royal institution. While steps like the eventual title recognition offer signs of protocol being observed, the emotional response from Harry and Meghan suggests that wounds remain fresh.
As the monarchy continues to evolve under King Charles III, observers and supporters alike watch with cautious optimism to see whether bridges can be rebuilt between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.
Verified Sources:
- BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-64807395
- The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/01/prince-harry-meghan-markle-asked-to-vacate-frogmore-cottage
- CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/09/uk/archie-lilibet-prince-princess-sussex-intl-gbr/index.html
- Penguin Random House: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/734656/spare-by-prince-harry-the-duke-of-sussex/
- ITV News: https://www.itv.com/news/2023-01-09/prince-harry-wants-his-father-and-brother-back
- Royal.uk: https://www.royal.uk.
