Plot Twist: Prince Harry Originally Wanted to Raise a Family at Kensington Palace

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Frogmore Cottage move-in date is fast approaching. And while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are full steam ahead on raising their children in the countryside, Prince Harry originally considered Kensington Palace.

Before Frogmore Cottage was on the table, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle looked into moving into the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester’s 21-room apartment, which is located next door to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s London home. According to reports, the Duke of Sussex had his eyes on the space “as the perfect place to raise a family.” But, he and Meghan Markle ultimately changed their minds (some believe it’s because the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester refused to vacate the apartment, but Kensington Palace denied those claims).

Why are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moving to Frogmore Cottage?

Unlike Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle do not want to raise their children in the public eye. And, unfortunately, the fishbowl-like facet of Kensington Palace makes it hard for them to retain privacy during this next chapter in their lives. That’s why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ultimately decided to skip town and move to a new home on Windsor Estate.

Prior to their decision, Frogmore Cottage was split into several individual units and used as staff housing. However, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have completed renovated the space into a 10-room mansion — which is a huge step up from their current four-room (2-bedrooms), one-bathroom Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace.

Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle keep their home at Kensington Palace?

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Royal Equestrian Club this morning. The centre in Rabat provides equine therapy to children with disabilities and those with mental health challenges. Their Royal Highness met children and young people using the facilities and saw the benefits equine therapy is having on them. PA / @kensingtonroyal

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Despite their big move to the country and wanting to shield their baby from public life, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle can’t exactly ditch their royal responsibilities. Because of that, they will likely conduct some business at Frogmore Cottage and still have offices and staff at Kensington Palace.

Reports suggest the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are moving out of Nottingham Cottage. However, they will still need a place to stay when in town for work. It’s unclear whether or not Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will remain part-time occupants of Nottingham Cottage or lock down a new London address.

Inside Frogmore Cottage

Frogmore Cottage holds a special place in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s hearts. The 10-room royal abode sits on the grounds of Windsor Estate, just down the road from where they married in May 2018. In addition, it holds the same name as their reception venue, Frogmore House.

Here’s what life in the countryside might be like for the Sussex family.

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The @bristololdvic1766 is the oldest continuously working theatre in the English speaking world — today The Duke and Duchess of Sussex toured the recently renovated facility, finding out more about the theatre’s unique history and links to the local community. Their Royal Highnesses also dropped in on a workshop attended by local school children, part of the Old Vic’s outreach programme. #RoyalVisitBristol

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Privacy

Unlike Kensington Palace — which Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have to take a helicopter to get into — Frogmore Cottage and the surrounding Windsor Estate offer up a lot of privacy. That means, Baby Sussex can run and play in a yard like normal kids and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex don’t have to worry too much about on-lookers.

A yoga studio

Meghan Markle is making Frogmore Cottage her dream home. The avid yogi and wellness enthusiast will have her own in-home yoga studio at Frogmore Cottage so that she can continue her 4:30 a.m. stretch — and perhaps inspire her children (like her mother did) to start a practice of their own.

Nursery

Baby Sussex will also have a room of his or her own. The Duchess of Sussex has designed a truly unique space and even used a mood board to draw inspiration for her firstborn’s nursery. She even requested eucalyptus-infused paint for added zen.

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