Meghan Markle and Prince Harry: Why will Frogmore Cottage renovation cost taxpayer £3m?
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry have chosen their new family home and will move in just before the end of Meghan’s pregnancy. But why will Frogmore Cottage's renovation cost the taxpayer £3million?
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Why will Frogmore Cottage renovation cost taxpayer £3million?
Meghan and Harry are due to move into Frogmore House in the spring, to prepare for their new arrival due that season.
The latest renovation plans for the home have been given the green light - and according to the Mirror, they could cost up to £3million and will be covered by the Sovereign Grant, funded by the taxpayer
Previously Frogmore House had been used as five flats for royal staff.
The Grade II listed house, previously known as Double Garden Cottage, has ten bedrooms and was gifted to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex by the Queen last year.
Kensington Palace confirmed the couple were moving into the home, saying in November that Windsor is a "very special place" for the couple.
Half a mile south of Windsor Castle, this is where Meghan and Harry wed in May - at St George’s Chapel in the castle grounds.
According to the Mirror, new documents reveal the couple's builders plan to add fireplaces, staircases, and a floating floor but will keep the original floorboards and shutters.
The renovations have been revealed in planning documents published by the local council alongside strict conditions imposed to "protect and preserve" the house.
Insiders also say that the renovations will cost up to £3million, which is double the refund done to William and Kate’s home - Anmer Hall.
A source told the Mirror: "It is a very expensive affair.
Frogmore Cottage is in an extremely run down condition and is needing a lot of TLC and heavy restoration to bring it up to standard ahead of the Duke and Duchess' moving in date.
"As a result, it is set to cost between £2million and £3 million for the whole project.
"It is being specially designed to ensure that the family has a comfortable country life away from the hustle and bustle of London where they are living now.
"The Duchess is very involved in the project and wants a home that is perfect for her, the Duke and her new baby.
"She has been corresponding with the planning team regularly as to what she wants.
"Security procedures are also to be tightened up at the site and it is being made secure ahead of the royal arrivals.
"Once the work has finished, Frogmore Cottage will be a fantastic family home fit for the Duke and Duchess but it will be like Fort Knox.
"Now all applications have been approved and work is now quickly being undertaken."
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Plans were approved by Royal Maidenhead and Windsor Borough Council in July for two orangery extensions, and a 'granny flat' above a studio in the grounds of the cottage.
A second 'listed building consent' application was submitted in October, asking for permission for "internal and external works [...] and associated landscaping".
But there were no further details on the council's planning page at the time, just a note which said it contained "sensitive information" so documents wouldn't be made public.
However, the council planners approved the application last month, and as a result details of the plans have now been revealed.
It states the architects have been given permission to remove a chimney - but only if the roof is repaired in the original materials.
It details changes will include new staircases and fireplaces as well as a "new floating floor".
In a planning decision letter, head of planning at Royal Maidenhead and Windsor Borough Council Jenifer Jackson said: "All existing doors and frames [are] to be retained and reused unless agreed in writing.
"[...] All existing shutters to be retained and all new shutter furniture to be agreed in writing by the local planning authority prior to installation.
"All floorboards must be retained and full details of the new floating floor will need to be agreed in writing by the local planning authority prior to installation."
While the building work costs will be covered by the Sovereign Grant - funded by the taxpayer - all fixtures and fittings will be paid for by the couple.