Queen Elizabeth gives Prince Harry and Meghan Markle another home
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly received another extravagant gift from their favourite grandmother. Queen Elizabeth has apparently given Prince Harry and Meghan Markle another home after giving them the York Cottage as wedding present.
Last month, it was claimed that Her Majesty would be giving the York Cottage, a royal stately home in the grounds of Sandringham Estate, to Harry and Meghan. But now, it seems that the Queen has decided to give them another home just because the couple liked the property upon viewing it.
A source told the Daily Mail that Queen Elizabeth has offered the “Grade II listed property” of Adelaide Cottage, which is in the Home Park in Windsor, to the Duke and Duchess. The couple apparently visited the place for a viewing and liked it.
The Adelaide Cottage was built in 1841 as a retreat for Queen Adelaide, William IV’s wife. It had also become home to Royal dignitaries and courtiers, the most recent one was Simon Rhodes, the son of Margaret Rhodes, the Queen’s cousin.
The cottage has been used as a residence of “grace and favour,” which means it is lent for free to those as part of their employment contract or those who are thanked for their royal service. Probably the most famous occupant of the cottage was Group Captain Peter Townsend, equerry to King George VI who was lent the property as grace and favour with his then-wife, Rosie Pratt, Marchioness Camden, in 1945.
Townsend is known in British Royal history as Princess Margaret’s lover. Soon after his divorce in 1952, his romance with the Queen’s sister became public.
The house is reportedly near Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s private apartments at Windsor Castle as well. It is also only a few miles from the Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park, which Harry frequents.
“There are seven gated entrances and exits to Windsor Castle so the newlyweds could come and go without worrying about being photographed,” the source told the Daily Mail.
Harry and Meghan apparently want to move in to the home as soon as possible, leaving Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three children in Kensington Palace alone.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also allegedly has the York Cottage, which was formerly known as the Bachelor’s Cottage.
