Announcing The New Tab "Frogmore Cottage" On This Blog- See Menu Under Header Photo
Frogmore Cottage is located in “Frogmore House and Gardens”, part of Windsor Home Park and about half a mile south of Windsor Castle.
The original Frogmore House was built in 1680 by Charles II’s architect Hugh May. The land was on the estates of Great and Little Frogmore which were bought by Henry VIII in the sixteenth century.
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Frogmore House has been a royal residence since 1792 when George III’s wife Queen Charlotte purchased the lease. Charlotte used the property for herself and unmarried daughters when the moods and reported instability of the King left the ladies needing a bit of quiet!
After Queen Charlotte’s death in 1818, Frogmore House passed onto her daughter Princess Augusta and then subsequently to Queen Victoria’s mother the Duchess of Kent in 1840. Two years before her death the Duchess asked Victoria’s consort Prince Albert to organise a mausoleum be built in the gardens for her.
In time a Mausoleum was built for Prince Albert in 1871 and then his widow joined him in 1901.
Notably, Queen Victoria’s beloved dog Dash is buried in the grounds.
South of this mausoleum is the Frogmore Royal Burial Ground where members of the royal family have been buried since it’s consecration in 1928. The Duke of Windsor ( aka abdicated Edward VIII) , his wife The Duchess of Windsor ( formerly Wallis Simpson that other American divorcee!) are also buried here.
A series of royal relatives have lived in the main House over the following years and in the 1980s a repair, restoration and redecoration project was undertaken. This is where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex held their evening wedding reception in 2018 and was also the location for their engagement photos in 2017.
Frogmore Cottage ( Harry and Meghan's new home) was built in 1801 at the instigation of Queen Charlotte. Over the years the Cottage has housed some interesting tenants!
Queen Victoria’s Indian servant Abdul Karim, his wife and father took up residence in 1897. The exiled Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia resided here in the 1920s.
Most recently, Frogmore Cottage was divided into five separate apartments for Windsor estate workers. Now, builders have been feverishly transforming it into a modern, comfortable residence befitting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Fireplaces, staircases, shutters and a floating floor over the existing floorboards are being added. A yoga studio, nursery and accomodation for a nanny are also planned. Total cost is estimated to be in the region of £ 3 million. Renovation costs will be met by the Sovereign Grant ( i.e. the taxpayer) but furnishings will be paid by the couple themselves.
High tech security systems are planned to keep the family safe and a £ 50,000 green energy unit will provide heat, hot water and electricity.
We look forward to seeing the finished result!
According to Royal Collection Trust, Frogmore House and Gardens are open as follows:
Frogmore House is only open to individuals on three Charity Open Days each year, when all proceeds are donated to specially selected charities. The next Charity Open Days will be in May 2019.
Note: this does not include Frogmore Cottage or the Mausoleums
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Frogmore House
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