Following her marriage to Prince Harry, reports suggest that Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, made significant demands for royal accommodations. Some insiders claim this stemmed from a desire to compete with Kate Middleton’s prestigious living arrangements.
The allegations suggest that Meghan requested to live in Windsor Castle, hoping to reside near Queen Elizabeth II. The request, however, was denied due to privacy concerns and other factors, highlighting tensions within the Royal Family regarding Meghan’s place in the hierarchy.
After their 2018 wedding, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved into Nottingham Cottage, a modest two-bedroom home within the grounds of Kensington Palace. Harry described this property as their “starter home,” which was far less grand than what Meghan had anticipated when joining the Royal Family.
During their Netflix documentary series, Meghan expressed her surprise at how small and simple the cottage was. She noted that while the public thought they were living in a palace, their actual living conditions were quite humble.
In contrast, Kate and Prince William reside in Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace, a vast and lavish residence that Queen Elizabeth II gifted them after their 2011 wedding. This impressive space spans four floors and has over 20 rooms, including multiple kitchens, nurseries for their children, and space for household staff.
The stark difference between Kate’s grand living quarters and the modest Nottingham Cottage occupied by Meghan and Harry reportedly fueled Meghan’s frustration. According to Schofield, Meghan’s desire for Windsor Castle reflected her “fixation” on securing a residence of similar value to Kate’s, which she believed would elevate her standing within the Royal Family.
Despite being denied Windsor Castle, Meghan and Harry were later offered Frogmore Cottage, a residence on the Windsor Estate. Frogmore Cottage, which underwent significant renovations to meet the couple’s needs, became their home shortly before the birth of their son, Archie, in 2019. While Frogmore Cottage offered more privacy than Nottingham Cottage, it still did not carry the same prestige as Windsor Castle or Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace.
Meghan’s demands for enhanced living quarters coincided with tensions between her and Kate Middleton. Sources suggest that this rivalry, which the media has heavily scrutinized, was exacerbated by their vastly different lifestyles. While Kate embraced her role in the traditional royal framework, Meghan sought to redefine her status, pushing for accommodations and privileges that aligned more closely with her Hollywood background.
While Prince Harry and Meghan have since built a new life in California, the legacy of their time within the Royal Family continues to shape public perceptions of their relationship with other senior royals. Meghan’s initial requests for more prestigious accommodations, particularly the desire to live in Windsor Castle, remain a focal point in discussions about her experiences as a Duchess and her desire to carve out her own space within the royal framework.