Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s strained relationship with King Charles and the Royal Family has been evident through numerous interviews, their Netflix series, and Harry’s memoir. The couple’s eviction from Frogmore Cottage last January added fuel to the fire.
After their royal wedding, Harry and Meghan briefly resided at Kensington Palace before moving to Nottingham Cottage. Frogmore Cottage, a wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth, became their UK base after renovations costing $3 million.
However, after Harry’s memoir release, King Charles decided to reclaim the property, evicting the couple. Reports suggested that Prince Andrew was offered the option to move in, leading to speculation about Harry and Meghan’s future in the UK.
The strained relationship between Harry, Meghan, and the Firm was exacerbated by the memoir’s content, interviews, and the Netflix series. Despite attending family events like Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and Charles’s coronation, reconciliation seemed unlikely.
During the coronation, Harry’s frustrations were evident in a conversation with Jack Brooksbank, Princess Eugenie’s husband. Lip-readers caught Harry expressing discontent with the way he was treated.
Harry’s departure from the UK immediately after the coronation reportedly disappointed Charles but relieved other family members. The timing of Harry’s eviction, just after the memoir’s release, suggested it was a consequence of his actions.
According to royal expert Omid Scobie, Charles wanted to punish Harry and Meghan. Frogmore Cottage’s eviction was seen as retribution for their Netflix series and memoir. Despite Harry’s plea to Charles, the decision was final, leading to further tensions.
Scobie’s sources indicated that the eviction was also about streamlining the family’s property portfolio. Offering Frogmore Cottage to Prince Andrew further emphasized Charles’s decision.
Harry and Meghan, who had already bought a house in California, had described Frogmore Cottage as small and impractical. Despite the eviction, their departure seemed inevitable, signaling a deeper rift within the Royal Family.
