Prince Harry and Meghan were previously asked to vacate their Frogmore residence, leaving them with no permanent housing in the UK.
Recent developments surrounding Prince Harry's accommodation during visits to the UK have ignited discussions about his residence on royal estates.
Last week, reports from The Sunday Times surfaced suggesting that Prince Harry had requested lodging at Windsor Castle during a recent trip to the UK for the WellChild Awards, but this request was allegedly denied.
Subsequently, speculation arose that King Charles might need to allocate space on the estate for Prince Harry due to his role as one of the King's counsellors of state. These counsellors, which include Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Andrew, and Princess Beatrice, are required to have a permanent residence in the UK, notes The Telegraph.
Kensington Palace is not for Harry
Among the options considered for Prince Harry's accommodation was Kensington Palace, where the Prince and Princess of Wales maintain a home and private office. However, Buckingham Palace promptly issued a statement refuting these claims, categorically stating that they were not accurate. According to royal aides, Prince Harry will only have access to short-term accommodation during his visits to the UK, contingent upon availability.
The matter of Prince Harry's residence in the UK came to the forefront after his eviction from Frogmore Cottage, a wedding gift from the late Queen, in June, a decision reportedly made at the behest of King Charles. Later that month, Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse, officially confirmed that Harry and Meghan had left the cottage and transported the remaining of their possessions to their residence in the United States.
Notably, the King had previously expanded the list of counsellors of state to include Prince Edward and Princess Anne without removing Prince Harry and Prince Andrew from the roster, in an effort to maintain familial harmony.
A source close to King Charles was quoted as saying:
'The King can see that to remove Harry as a counsellor of state would be seen as an act of antagonism and he does not want to do that. If, as a consequence of that, somewhere on the royal estate needs to be earmarked as a pied-à-terre for his son, that seems a reasonable thing to do.'
Despite the speculations and discussions, Buckingham Palace has firmly denied the claims, clarifying that Prince Harry will not be residing at Kensington Palace or any other royal residence during his UK visits. It means he is now 'homeless' when on UK soil and is disallowed from staying on one of the royal estates.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's California residence
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relocation to California in 2020 brought them to Montecito, an affluent area in Santa Barbara County. According to The Express, their residence, reportedly acquired for £11.92 million, is situated on a 7.4-acre compound with a private road, lengthy driveway, and large security gates, prioritizing safety and privacy. Notably, the Sussexes emphasized their independence by not seeking financial support from King Charles for their California home.
Their Santa Barbara neighbors include renowned celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah Winfrey, Ariana Grande, Gwyneth Paltrow, Katy Perry, and Orlando Bloom. The area has long been favored by celebrities seeking a peaceful retreat from the Hollywood spotlight, with icons like Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, and Charlie Chaplin having owned properties in the vicinity, as per Forbes.
Read more:
⋙ Royal expert claims Kate Middleton's relationship with Prince Harry may not recover
⋙ Prince William and Harry's relationship may be over, expert claims: 'There is no way back'
⋙ Have Prince Harry and Meghan Markle found a new home in the UK?
⋙ Prince Harry no longer has a residence in the UK and it could affect the last royal role he has
