The Frogmore Cottage Scandal is kind of a non-starter, right? The royal press pack had already punched themselves out about a million other things, and now they can’t really decide what part of this story is actually “scandalous.” As we heard, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have moved all of their stuff out of Frogmore Cottage (“in the dead of night”) and a few weeks back, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank moved into the freshly renovated cottage. The palace was, as always, “blindsided” by the arrangement between the cousins.
There were some questions about where Eugenie and Jack had been living before this Frogmore move. Well, they have a place in London – since early 2018, they’ve lived in Ivy Cottage, on the grounds of Kensington Palace, much like Harry lived in Nottingham Cottage, also on the grounds of KP. But during the pandemic, Eugenie and Jack apparently moved in with her father at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, and they largely worked from home. Harry and Meghan apparently offered Eugenie and Jack use of Frogmore so they could have their own space for when the baby came:
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have said they “are delighted” to be able to “open up” their home, Frogmore Cottage, to Harry’s cousin, Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank. The recently renovated house on the Windsor estate in Berkshire was Prince Harry’s and Meghan’s main home until they stepped down as working members of the Royal Family at the end of March.
It will remain the Sussex’s “residence in the UK” according to their office, but a source says that Harry and Meghan “are delighted to be able to open up their home to Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank as they start their own family”.
Harry and Meghan have not been at Frogmore since they left the UK in the Spring. Whilst the Duke and Duchess are not expected to return to the UK very often, they will still stay at Frogmore Cottage when they do. Following newspaper reports that they had “moved out” of Frogmore, their office insisted that they would “share the property” with Eugenie and Jack “when they travel to the UK”.
Sources close to Harry and Meghan have confirmed that they will “retain financial responsibility” for the property. It’s not known what contribution Eugenie and Jack will make towards the rent payments and bills.
The “retain financial responsibility” thing is new and notable, although I’m not sure what other financial arrangements need to be met? The Queen basically gave the Sussexes a lifetime lease on Frogmore Cottage, and even if she wanted to yank that, they paid for all of those fakakta renovations themselves and I’m pretty sure they paid whatever “rent” in advance. What other financial responsibilities are there? Are the Sussexes paying Eugenie’s cable bill? It’s also interesting that the Sussexes claim they’ll “share the property” if and when they return to the UK. My guess is that Harry and Meghan know they won’t return for another year at least and they’re basically fine with Eugenie and Jack living there instead of the property standing vacant forever. LOL – I actually loved how mad people were about Frogmore sitting there, gathering dust. Those nitpicking racists in the British media made such a BFD about costs of the reno, it would have served them right to simply have Frogmore sit there vacant.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Backgrid, Avalon Red.
So, it’s basically a sublet, yes? I mean talk about a mountain out of a molehill
Right? I can’t believe they made such a stink about this instead of just reporting the news and being neutral.
“financial responsibility” says to me any ongoing work that needs to be done on the house (i.e. leaking sink or whatever) but I am also assuming that there is some sort of rent being paid if this is meant to be anything more than a month or two. And it does make more sense knowing that they moved to Royal Lodge – probably to be closer to her parents and for more outdoor space (well private outdoor space) – but now she still wants those things but doesn’t want to be “that” close to her parents.
The part that is becoming funny to me is that you know the Sussexes knew exactly how the british press would react so they just kind of waited to see when they would find out. And the reaction has bee pretty predictable – “Dead of night,” stories about H&M “being forced” to give up Frogmore, followed by “nope, this is all above board and fine, and BP has nothing to do with it.”
I also think this clearly confirms that H&M aren’t coming back to the UK for a while, at least not as a family. So it seems it will just be Harry at the “one year review” (or that will happen over zoom lol.) This ties into the court case being pushed back and makes me think that she is pregnant.
“financial responsibility” says to me that the “Buck Stops with Harry & Meghan”. Harry will see that all needed maintenance is taken care of. Who pays for said maintenance is between the Lettor (The Sussexes) and Letee (The Brooksbanks).
It really is no business of mine if the Sussexes paid rent to Tyler Perry and also no business of mine if the Brooksbanks pay rent to the Sussexes.
Well, to be honest, none of this stuff is any of our business, that’s why its gossip, LOL.
Its actually quite shocking in the ‘real world ‘ sense just how co-dependant the royals are,other than the Queen and Charles these fully grown adults are not that liquid. In the unlikely even of a revolution and stripping everything away from them how will they cope.
I think they’re just shameless about looking for handouts. The Queen is the same way. They don’t like spending their money if they can get the public to pay for it. I think the only one truly broke is Fergie.
If Beatrice,Eugenie,Zara,Peter etc were told run along and be fully independant, I doubt they can even afford a home in West London.
Like most of the uber wealthly, actually …
This is what I think. The family as a whole is asset rich but individual members are cash poor. But then who wouldn’t want a free baby proofed private cottage if we could get it? It’s a pretty simple case of rich people hating to spend their own money and not having to because rich people have access to more nice shit.
I think the Queen Mother left the great-grandkids trusts, and Zara makes a good deal of money from her various endorsements, so its really the York princesses who are somewhat suspect, especially since Andrew lives pretty large (which is again, suspect.)
The royal finances are purposely really shady though. In the Norman Baker book “And What Do YOU Do” that ArtHistorian recommended and I’m slowly reading (its pretty detailed and surprisingly dense, its not a light fluffy gossip read) he really takes the royals to task over their secret finances and the private wills and raises a good point – doesn’t the british public have the right to know about the royals finances so that they know if the royals are acting in the best interest of the UK, or their own best interest.
He also spends a great deal of time talking about how the royals are just freeloaders – there’s a whole chapter about it! Some of the stories are really astounding, considering how rich these people are.
So Eugenie probably doesn’t have the self-awareness to think that there is anything wrong or weird with NOT paying for Frogmore.
Peter, Zara etc ‘only’ received £800,000 from the queen mother. William and Harry each had something ljke £8,000,000.
Yeah, but she set up those trusts well before she died, so if the money was invested well, it could be enough combined with Zara’s endorsements to give her a nice lifestyle. Peter does his sad endorsements too lol (milk anyone?) and I’m assuming that helps supplement his lifestyle too.
It’s not that some of these royals are insanely wealthy, its more that they are wealthier than we think, and that’s by design.
Peter, Zara, Beatrice, Eugenie, David & Sarah Chatto each received several million. Tax free because of the shady way the trusts were established. At 21, William and Harry received 6m with most going to Harry. They’ll share an additional 8m when they both turn 40.
Remember these figures were from 2002, so any inflation is not accounted for in what was published about the inheritances.
Even William made it a point to be friends with the Duke of Westminster so they could use the private jet. And Mustique is covered by the Middletons. If the heir to the heir is doing this, the ones further down the line have to be doing more unless they get actual jobs.
So Harry and Meghan act generously towards a ‘homeless’ cousin and they get flak for it but nary a sound about the non working ‘ blood princess’? At least the BM are being consistent. And the royal family wonder why people believe everything they saw in The Crown.
Can we just call Kensington Palace what it is? The Royal Projects? Or as they say in the UK “Council Estate”. It’s where the cash poor, unskilled royals go to live because they can’t afford to buy their own property so they live lavishly on tax payer dollars.
That is excatly what i was trying to say,they are no better than benefit scroungers,just more posh. Do these adults have any self respect,they all get handed things from Granny dearest and have little to stand on their own . So infact H & M are now the most liquid from their generation.
H&M’s liquidity must make them all seethe. Not a single member of this family could hack it without the firm, which is why they cling to it so badly. Eugenie is smart to stay on Harry’s good side as he’s going to be the one who will probably look out for her. Giving E&J a place to live also makes Harry look quite powerful, almost like a monarch. Only the queen gifts homes as another commenter brought up. ( I know it’s not the queen’s home to give technically, but the sentiment is there). Could anybody imagine William doing something like this for his cousin or a another human? We know Will is definitely going to be wielding his power when he’s in charge, he’ll make all of those royals kiss the ring. I hope Sophie did enough kissing ass at the commonwealth service.
A few years ago in the UK there was a TV program called ‘Benefits Street’ (translates as ‘Welfare Street”). KP is essentially the original benefits street.
Of course he will. 🤑 He’s doing Eug a favour.
Dad, Prince Andre owes money across Europe, for different chalets and properties.🙄
Eternally broke Mum, Fergie is writing columns for the Scum to make ends meet.🙄
Jack & Eugenie couldn’t even afford to get the roof on Ivy Cottage fixed, no way can they pay for Frogswamp cottage.
You really have to be trying to find something bad about this situation. The RRs are stuck because they dare not call Eugenie and Jack freeloaders, etc. But I know that if it was the other way round, they’d be tons of praise for E&J and numerous articles about how much M&H should be paying..they’d likely get a real estate agent in to give them their “expert” opinion on what the market value rent would be, etc.
It’s scary how many people can’t see the hypocrisy.
Especially considering how the British press reacted to H&M living in Tyler Perry’s mansion.
The British press had to write about something that would generate click$ for revenue$. The Sussexes, like Elizabeth Taylor, are the magic money tree for the worldwide press.
But H&M doing this makes it easier for people to point out the hypocrisy and shows the truth to more people about the double standards. They are slowly getting their point across.
Financial responsibility probably means that Harry and Meghan will continue to pay rent for the property. It was announced that Harry had not only paid back the renovation cost but also paid rent in advance. It’s probably for a year and after the year, it wouldn’t be surprising if they gave the lease to Eugenie and Jack. This move has basically muted the press and took away the press’ ability to make up another narrative about Frogmore Cottage. The press is definitely not going to complain about Eugenie and Jack living there rent-free. I think the press is finally realising that Harry and Meghan are gone and will not become working royals after the one year review.
Why are Jack and Eugenie living there rent free? At least pay a portion of it. Unless it’s only for a few months while renovating another property, it’s embarrassing to live an expensive lifestyle while also taking charity.
Is it 14k a month?
We don’t know the rent details but I’m just guessing that they are living rent free given Harry has paid rent for Frogmore Cottage in advance. I think that it’s logical that the chance to not pay rent would be seen as advantageous for Eugenie and Jack given that they were paying rent at Ivy Cottage which is a relatively newly renovated 3 bedroom house in London.
Idk, Eugenie is the child of Andy and Fergie so living an expensive lifestyle while also taking charity is kind of in her genes? I mean I’m pretty sure that the average art gallery worker and tequila ambassador couldn’t afford the rent on a royal cottage, especially during a pandemic when art galleries and tequila ambassadorial venues are probably all closed.
The petty in me would’ve let it sit empty but I guess for the sake of the house it should be lived in? I’m guessing financially responsible means upkeep and any needed repairs. Andrew has a huge estate I still don’t see why they didn’t just take a wing but hey at least H&M have a valid excuse not to stay at Frogmore.
I think financial responsibility means that if there’s any repairs the Sussexes will fix it and they’ll pay the rent.
If this is a short-term arrangement, then yeah Jack and Eugenie don’t need to pay rent but if this is a long-term thing then I think they do need to pay rent to the Sussexes. Especially as they’re 2 non-working royals (Eugenie’s husband and son won’t have a title) living on Crown Estates property (which is essentially government owned) for free.
Any repairs would probably undertaken by the Crown Estate not the Sussexes. The Queen is responsible for maintenance of these properties. Financial responsibility most likely means that the Sussexes are paying the rent for the Frogmore.
Structural repairs yes but if it’s something like a broken tile in the bathroom or the hot water isn’t working or something, the Sussexes will deal with it.
Broken roof and things like that will come from the CE
Leases for Crown Estate properties are not limited to royals, working or otherwise. Anyone who can afford to purchase a lease (and passes security checks?), can live in them.
I realise but I do think that if Eugenie wants to live there permanently, she should pay some rent.
That would be between Eugenie and the legal lease holder, Harry. As long as the lease has been paid, Harry can do whatever he wants. If he let’s Eugenie live there free for years, nothing anyone can do about it.
The press were complaining that Frogmore was empty. Now Eugenie is there the press are still complaining. Just goes to show they take a contrary position in order to put a negative spin on anything the Sussexes do.
I just love fact that a blood princess had to rely on the couple they called grifters and couch surfers recently & woman they thought wasn’t good enough for the firm.
U.K. will likely have certain covid restrictions until March. I don’t think the Sussexes will be back in Europe until Invictus in May.
The RR are desperate for news and also desperate not to talk about The Crown, lol. I hope Harry and Meghan buy or build their own place in the UK and never live in any Crown property again. I wonder if they are waiting for the queen to pass on before they do so? If I were them I wouldn’t want to live in anything potentially controlled by the FFK.
This is my wish for them too. I want them to buy their own UK estate and and not have to rely on the “grace and favour” of one of their dusty relatives and be completely independent of the Crown.
So they get to freeload off their wealthy cousins who are actually making their own money. Got it.
Waiting for the royal rota to complain—guess I’ll be waiting a while…
@Becks1
Exactly! Those inheritances were given nearly 20 years ago and probably never touched as they were all living off of tax payer money. With smart investments and interests that amount should have multiplied significantly.
@JT
Yes! Harry IS acting very Kingly bequeathing a nice home to Eugenie and Jack. And I’m sure Eugenie is siding with Harry now because she knows Charles fully intends to cut them off once he becomes King. And she probably knows William and Kate would do the same.
H&M are the ones I would attach my boat to if I were them. FC was such a generous offer and it truly has no strings attached. If Eugenie, Harry and Meg remain close I wouldn’t be surprised if E&J get invited to Montecito. Can you imagine how the RR and RF would explode? Talk about blindsided.
I just can’t get over the BM and the stories they write with a straight face. They criticize everything the Sussexes do and ignore the same whatever in anyone else in that family. It’s like there’s a double standard or something, but maybe it’s just me.
No it’s not you. I gritted my teeth and read the DM comments today. Horrible. Called Meghan “trash” and a “putrid z list actress” and those were the most flattering remarks. Why is it necessary for those commentators to keep repeating” good riddance we still don’t miss you”?
Anyone consider that maybe they don’t want their baby being too accessible to granddaddy? That’s a powerful motivator to move away from Andrew and Fergie. Close, but not toooo close.
Andrew lives in Windsor so if that’s the reason, they haven’t moved far enough
The corrupt deviant is currently stalking the grounds and stables of Windsor. They didn’t move near far enough to avoid such filth.
Harry and Meghan are better than me. I wouldn’t do this to anyone who never supported me or even bothered to correct a damaging rumour about my wife’s alleged behaviour in the said couple’s wedding. They not only avoided them at sandringham Christmas walk but also probably leaked that tiara story.
I feel like they are planning on handing it to eugenie after 1yr. I hope they do and that they buy a huge plot in Ireland or France. After Brexit & the incoming recession, the royals will be put on the spot. The further H&M are from the sinking ship the better
Which Christmas Walk are you talking about? Because in 2018, Meghan and Eugenie were photographed smiling and talking
One reason to move “in the dead of night” is because Windsor has bad traffic. I would do all my driving in the dead of night if I lived there.
If I were wealthy enough, I would absolutely allow relatives or friends to stay rent free at my expense. I wish I could alleviate some of the financial worries of my loved ones.