Back in February, we heard that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex planned to renew their lease on Frogmore Cottage. It was a reminder that unlike nearly every royal real estate lease, the terms of Frogmore Cottage are extremely short-term, and that the Sussexes likely have to “renew” their lease every year. The Wessexes have something like a 99-year lease on Bagshot, same with Prince Andrew and Royal Lodge. Anyway, there was confusion as to why Harry and Meghan wanted to maintain a legal residence in the UK, and I kind of assumed that it was because Princess Eugenie still wanted/needed Frogmore more than anything. But this is just confusing:
Harry and Meghan have made a surprise bid to return to the middle of Windsor life — by renewing their lease on Frogmore Cottage. The unexpected move will ensure a royal backdrop plus material on tap for their Kardashian-style Netflix documentary. It also means Harry, who is visiting the UK this week with his family, may be neighbours with his warring brother William.
The Sussexes will stay at the cottage for the Jubilee celebrations with son Archie, three, and daughter Lilibet, who turns one on Saturday. Last month they extended their lease with a 12-month rolling deal at the property, a ten-minute walk from the Queen’s apartments.
It is currently empty as tenants Princess Eugenie and hubby Jack Brooksbank are in Portugal, The Sun can reveal.
Royal insiders believe the Sussexes, who have a £13million mansion in California, plan to spend more time in Windsor. And that is set to cause dismay to William, who wants a move there with Kate and their kids.
One insider said: “It is quite a signal that they aren’t going to disappear. They could easily give up Frogmore as their life’s now in California. By agreeing to extend the lease, and with Jack and Eugenie focusing on Portugal, they have a firm presence smack bang in the middle of the Windsor court where it’s all happening. They can now come and go any time they please. The coming year could be one of the most tumultuous in royal history and the Sussexes are making sure they have a foothold in Windsor.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “Frogmore Cottage remains the UK home of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
One, Eugenie and Jack are moving to Portugal! We will have more on that in a separate post, but let me tell you this: Eugenie and Jack’s news was introduced through the “what’s happening with Frogmore” conversation. It’s so bizarre. Two, William and Kate suddenly want Frogmore Cottage, LMAO! I mean, I kind of doubt that, but it’s hilarious that the Cambridges have spent the past year, yelling “give us a palace, give us a fort, give us a castle” only to be told “no” at every turn. Now they want the dilapidated shack which was renovated at great cost by Harry & Meghan? Nope. (Note: while The Sun doesn’t actually say that the Keens might want Frogmore Cottage, the Mail actually did say that, my bad.) As for Harry and Meghan renewing the lease… I think they just want to keep their options open, and maintaining Frogmore is easier than staying at a hotel or asking Charles to open up some guest rooms whenever they do visit.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, WENN.
The Duchess of Sussex will visits the University of Johannesburg The Duchess of Sussex was announced as Patron of ACU in January 2019, Â Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)Â brings together universities from around the world to advance knowledge, promote understanding, broaden minds and improve lives. Where: Johanesburg When: 01 Oct 2019 Credit: WENN/Avalon **WENN/Avalon** 
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – NOVEMBER 02: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrives at the stadium prior to the Rugby World Cup 2019 Final between England and South Africa at International Stadium Yokohama on November 02, 2019 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. Where: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan When: 02 Nov 2019 Credit: WENN/Avalon **WENN/Avalon** 
HRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart after visiting The Canadian High Commissioner to the UK, Janice Charette at the Canadian High Commission at Canada House, London, England, UK on Tuesday 7 January, 2020. Picture by Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon Featuring: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 07 Jan 2020 Credit: WENN/Avalon **WENN/Avalon**
HRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart after visiting The Canadian High Commissioner to the UK, Janice Charette at the Canadian High Commission at Canada House, London, England, UK on Tuesday 7 January, 2020. Picture by Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon Featuring: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 07 Jan 2020 Credit: WENN/Avalon **WENN/Avalon** 
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their baby son, who was born on Monday morning, during a photocall in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle in Berkshire. 
The 2019 Trooping the Colour ceremony takes place in Horse Guards Parade with troops of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards trooping their regimental flag, or colour, in front of HM Queen Elizbeth II for The Queens official Birthday Parade. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arriving.ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcG5oboZ1e9OhnJirpajApsTErJarnZ6axKawvq2fnqGilLmmrdKelqimj5u%2FsLPMqKmel5OkwbWtxp6Wnq2Xmruqsb6mpq%2BdlJS8tsCO