Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Are Renovating Frogmore Cottage Again
After moving into their new home earlier this year, the Sussexes are planning even more renovations. Here’s what’s about to change.
It’s been a year since the beloved HGTV series Fixer Upper, hosted by Chip and Joanna Gaines, aired its last episode. But into the void left by those home improvement gurus par excellence comes an unlikely new pair of avid renovators and re-painters: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Duchess and Duke of Sussex.
Earlier this year, the royals moved into Frogmore Cottage, a family home once occupied by Queen Mary that had since fallen into disrepair, after a period of extensive interior renovations. They reportedly painted their interiors with vegan eucalyptus-oil-infused paints—an eco-friendly approach—ahead of the birth of their son, Archie, and added a “green-energy center,” according to People, as well as a sprung floor for yoga, more bookshelves, and a custom kitchen and dining area. Those renovations cost an estimated $3 million.
Now they’re looking to the exterior of their new home for the next series of renovations. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward previously told People the cottage is “pretty dilapidated now,” but the Sussexes have been working hard to combat the inexorable ravages of time. Per plans published (with redactions) by the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, the upcoming renovations will focus on the doors, windows, walls, and outbuildings, as well as re-landscaping the garden, which currently boasts mulberries and redwoods, a vestige of Markle’s California upbringing. They’re even planning to give some TLC to the gutters, because the key to a good fixer-upper is attention to detail. Perhaps they might also want to consider some paparazzi-proofing, in case Splash News comes calling again.
“The energy of the space is so much better” than that of Kensington Palace, a source told People in the same story. “It’s a total fresh start.” It’s also conveniently close to Queen Elizabeth II’s retreat at Windsor Castle, from which she stopped in to visit her grandson and granddaughter-in-law over Easter just ahead of Archie’s birth and became their first guest at Frogmore after their move. “After all, they’ve practically moved into her back garden,” a source told The Sun at the time. “Her Majesty wanted to formally welcome the Sussexes to their new home.” Now that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are a bit more settled in, perhaps a royal reality show in their future?
Related: The Royal Baby, Master Archie, Has Begun Accepting Celebrity Visitors
Meghan Markle’s Ever-Evolving Hairstyles, From Her Signature Messy Bun to a Classic French Twist
Meghan Markle wore flowers in her hair on October 24, 2018, in Suva, Fiji. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her hair in a low ponytail while in South Bondi Beach on October 19, 2018, in Sydney, Australia. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her hair in a low ponytail to attend the naming dedication and unveiling of a new aircraft in the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) fleet at Dubbo Airport on October 17, 2018, in Dubbo, Australia. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan markle wore her hair in a loose low bun on a visit to the University of Chichester’s Engineering and Technology Park on October 3, 2018, in Bognor Regis, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
It’s rare, but sometimes Markle wears her hair down, like she did at the Sydney Opera House on October 16, 2018, in Sydney, Australia. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her hair pulled back, with a few face-framing loose pieces, at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on September 4, 2018, in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Markle wore her hair in loose waves at the “100 Days of Peace” concert to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War at Central Hall Westminster on September 6, 2018, in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Markle attended the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on July 26, 2018, in Windsor, England, with her hair in a chic, pulled-back bun. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Markle wore her hair in long, loose waves with a chic hat on June 9, 2018, in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle let her hair loose at the U.K. Team Trials for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 at the University of Bath on April 6, 2018, in Bath, England. Photo courtesy of Getty images.
Meghan Markle wore her hair pulled back in a messy bun at Cardiff Castle on January 18, 2018, in Cardiff, Wales. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her hair in a center-part updo at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London on August 29, 2018. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her pulled back while attending the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2018, in London, England, with Kate Middleton. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her hair down in loose waves at the Terrance Higgins Trust World AIDS Day charity fair at Nottingham Contemporary on December 1, 2017, in Nottingham, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle on day three of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 on September 25, 2017, in Toronto, Canada. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her long hair in a straight style at a Christmas Day Church service at Church of St. Mary Magdalene on December 25, 2017, in King’s Lynn, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her long hair in curls, with a deep side part, in an appearance on Today on March 18, 2016, in New York, New York. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle leaves the Today taping at NBC Rockefeller Center Studios on July 14, 2016, in New York City. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle styled her hair in a long sleek style on March 17, 2016, in New York City. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her hair in a messy bun at the USA Network’s Suits season five premiere, held at Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel on January 21, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
