Queen 'gave up her privacy' by gifting Frogmore to Harry and Meghan but they wanted Windsor, claims book

The cottage was a 'big deal' to Queen Elizabeth, who reportedly said, 'I hope they'll respect it'

PUBLISHED SEP 26, 2022

The Queen's entrance into the gardens was right next to Frogmore Cottage which was 'essentially her backyard, her solitude, and her privacy' (Michael Santiago, Ben Stansall/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wanted to move to Windsor Castle but were given Frogmore Cottage, claims 'The New Royals', a book written by Katie Nicholls, which explores the relationships between Harry, Meghan, William, Kate, along with the newly crowned King Charles III over the years.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly hoped for a "suite of apartments at the royal residence" amid their relocation from Kensington Palace. However, the late Queen made the "generous gesture" of giving them the Frogmore cottage instead, according to Lady Elizabeth Anson, a close friend of the Queen who died in 2020.

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A general view of the exterior of Frogmore Cottage as people lay floral tributes to Prince Philip, Duke Of Edinburgh who died at age 99, nearby on April 10, 2021 in Windsor, United Kingdom. The Queen announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. HRH passed away peacefully April 9th at Windsor Castle. — A general view of the exterior of Frogmore Cottage as people lay floral tributes to Prince Philip, Duke Of Edinburgh who died at age 99, nearby on April 10, 2021, in Windsor, United Kingdom. The Queen announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. HRH passed away peacefully on April 9th at Windsor Castle. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Lady Elizabeth Anson said the cottage was a "big deal" to the late Queen, who reportedly said, "I hope they'll respect it." Lady Elizabeth is quoted in an extract published by Mail Online, "The cottage was a big deal. The Queen's entrance into the gardens is right next to their cottage. It is essentially her backyard, her solitude, and her privacy." The extract continued, "She was giving that up in gifting Harry and Meghan Frogmore Cottage. We all thought it was very big of her. 'She said, 'I hope they'll respect it.'"

The latest claims come after another author, Valentine Low, who dropped bombshell in his new book, 'Extracts of Courtiers: the Hidden Power Behind the Crown'. The rift between the couple and other members of the royal family has been seen in the highlights over the past couple of years as the Sussexes have been condemning of their life in the UK when talking to American media after stepping down from their royal duties. But following the death of the Queen, King Charles, William, and Harry were once again publically seen together as they mourned and walked behind the Queen's coffin in several processions and attended her funeral along with their wives.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet members of the public on the long Walk at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022 in Windsor, England. Crowds have gathered and tributes left at the gates of Windsor Castle to Queen Elizabeth II, who died at Balmoral Castle on 8 September, 2022. — Catherine, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet members of the public on the long Walk at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022, in Windsor, England (Kirsty O'Connor - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

TV host and a friend of former actress Meghan, Gayle King, said, "There have been efforts on both sides… to sort of make this right. He continued, "Big families always go through drama, always go through turmoil. It remains to be seen — are they going to be drawn closer together or are they going to be drawn apart?" He added, "I have no idea, I have no inside information on that, but I will tell you this: It was good to see Harry standing with his family."