In a show of good faith, Prince Harry has repaid the $3.1 million that he spent on renovating Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, England, with wife Meghan Markle. The renovation costs had originally been covered by the Sovereign Grant, the taxpayer-funded endowment set aside for royals.
In 2019, Harry and Meghan moved to Frogmore Cottage in April shortly before the arrival of their son Archie in May, but they have since stepped down from their positions as senior royals and relocated to California. Before leaving, they had expressed their desire to become financially independent.
RELATED: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Sign Multi-Year Deal With Netflix
Frogmore Cottage, an early 19th-century building owned by Queen Elizabeth II, underwent structural changes to turn five small dormitory-style units into a single home. The renovations also included removing a chimney, refinishing the roof, new staircases, fireplace installations and a new wooden floor, all of which were specified in planning applications to the local council. Harry and Meghan paid for all the fittings, fixtures and furnishings themselves.
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex reads “Duck! Rabbit!” For Archie’s first birthday. Happy Birthday Archie! ?
A post shared by Arche Well (@archewell.global) on
Although it still belongs to the Queen, Frogmore Cottage will continue to be the UK residence of Harry and Megha and they will continue to pay rent for the home. News that the money had been repaid came shortly after the couple signed a multi-million-dollar production deal with Netflix, which will include producing films and series for the streaming service. The content will focus on issues their non-profit, Archewell, supports.
Meghan and Prince Harry also recently signed with the New York-based Harry Walker Agency. The agency, which represents Oprah Winfrey, Jane Goodall, Michelle and Barack Obama, Hillary and Bill Clinton, Alex Rodriguez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tina Fey, Stacey Abrams and Gloria Steinem, will presumably book speaking engagements for the couple.
Harry and Meghan recently purchased a home in Montecito, near Santa Barbara in California, which they bought with the help of a mortgage. By settling the debt with the Sovereign Grant, the couple has signaled their definitive split with Britain. In addition, the couple is no longer receiving any financial assistance from Harry’s father Prince Charles, PEOPLE has confirmed.
Source: People
READ NEXT: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Move To Santa Barbara In Search Of Privacy
Source: Read Full Article