Prince Harry And Meghan's UK Home Being Closed Down And Staff 'Let Go'

Jan 17, 2020 by apost team

After announcing they will be stepping back as 'senior' royals, Meghan and Harry said they would be splitting their time between North America and the U.K. However, speculation is growing as their home in the U.K. appears to be closing time meaning Harry and Meghan won't be spending much of their time there.

According to the Mail Online, Meghan flew back to Canada to be with Archie, although it was planned for Harry to follow but had an official engagement at Buckingham Palace this week. 

Queen Elizabeth released a statement confirming that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be splitting their time between the U.K. and Canada. In addition, the Queen has stated that she would have preferred them in the U.K. but understand their decision. 

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The press release the Queen issued reads:

"My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family..."

..."we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK."

However the Daily Mail reports that their estate in the U.K. Frogmore cottage is appearing to be closed. Staff at the cottage have been let go fueling rumors Meghan and Harry will be spending most of their time in canada. 

A source told the Daily Mail, "The workers[at Frogmore Cottage] are already being offered other roles at Buckingham Palace. This has all come as a bit of shock. They took great pride in working for them and being at Frogmore." 

The Sussexes had come under fire last year after figures from The Royal Household showed the couple spent £2.4 million (Equivalent to about $3 Million) on renovating the Frogmore Cottage at Windsor into a family home. The cottage had previously been 5 separate residences but the renovations conjoined the homes into one single property.

The cost of the renovations was paid out from taxpayer’s pockets via the Sovereign Grant. With Meghan and Harry's decision to step back, the decision has critics calling for them to payback the renovations spent on the crown's property as the couple will no longer be performing royal duties.

Graham Smith, chief executive of the campaign group Republic told the British tabloid that he believes the taxpayers should be paid back.

"I certainly think they owe the taxpayer a refund. They have spent £2.4m ($3 million) on refurbishing their house on the taxpayer. It was going to be their home and now they've decided to live elsewhere so we need that money back. They need to abandon their claim to that house." 

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