When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, began their married life in the United Kingdom in 2017, their first home together was Nottingham Cottage, a residence within the grounds of Kensington Palace. The property, affectionately referred to as “Nott Cott,” has been part of the royal estate for centuries and served as a symbolic starting point for the couple’s journey as working members of the British Royal Family【Royal.uk†source】【BBC†source】.
The story of Nottingham Cottage has resurfaced in media discussions about the couple’s transition out of royal duties, particularly following the release of the couple’s Netflix series Harry & Meghan in 2022. The program offered viewers a glimpse into their early domestic life, featuring scenes of gardening, home décor, and everyday routines with Meghan’s beagle, Guy【Netflix via BBC†source】.
Nottingham Cottage: History and Significance
Nottingham Cottage is a 17th-century building located on the north side of Kensington Palace. Although smaller than the larger state apartments, the cottage has long been part of royal tradition.
Over the years, it has been home to several members of the royal family, including Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who lived there before moving into Apartment 1A within the same palace grounds. It has also accommodated palace staff and served as a transitional residence for younger royals【Historic Royal Palaces†source】.
The cottage’s modest size compared to other royal residences has often been noted in press coverage. While comfortable, it was never intended as a permanent family home for senior royals.
Public Insights Through Netflix and Memoir
The Sussexes’ Netflix series provided a rare public look inside Nottingham Cottage, showing how the couple personalized the space during their early married life. In Spare, Prince Harry’s memoir published in January 2023, he also described the home as cozy and modest compared to his brother’s larger residence, but emphasized its sentimental value as their “first family home”【Penguin Random House†source】.
These firsthand accounts offered the public authentic details, replacing much of the speculation that had circulated in the years after the couple left the UK.
The Broader Royal Context
The contrast between Nottingham Cottage and Apartment 1A — the 20-room residence where Prince William and Catherine live with their three children — has been cited in media coverage as an example of the differences between the brothers’ households.
However, according to Buckingham Palace’s official stance, housing arrangements for senior royals are determined by availability, security considerations, and working needs, not by favoritism【Royal.uk†source】.
Nottingham Cottage, while smaller, had previously served William and Catherine well in their early marriage and was deemed suitable for Harry and Meghan at the time.
Transition to Frogmore Cottage
By late 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were preparing for the arrival of their first child, Archie. To accommodate their growing family, Queen Elizabeth II offered them Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. The property underwent renovations funded by the Sovereign Grant, with the couple later repaying the public cost after stepping back from royal duties in 2020【BBC†source】.
Frogmore Cottage provided significantly more space and privacy compared to Nottingham Cottage, aligning better with the couple’s needs as new parents.
Stepping Back From Royal Duties
In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced they would step back as senior members of the Royal Family. Their decision, dubbed “Megxit” in the media, led to negotiations with the late Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles (then Prince of Wales), and Prince William.
According to Buckingham Palace’s official statement at the time, the couple would no longer carry out official duties on behalf of the Queen, nor use their HRH titles, though they would remain the Duke and Duchess of Sussex【Royal.uk†source】.
The move reflected the couple’s desire for financial independence and a new life in North America, where they later established a home in California.
Life in the United States
Since relocating, Harry and Meghan have pursued careers in media and philanthropy. Their non-profit organization, the Archewell Foundation, focuses on community service, mental health, and digital well-being initiatives【Archewell.com†source】.
They also signed media deals with Netflix and Spotify, producing documentaries, podcasts, and other content aimed at storytelling and global outreach.
While their move was initially controversial, public opinion has since shifted, with some polls showing greater sympathy for the couple following their candid accounts of challenges within royal life【YouGov†source】.
Recent Royal Developments
Prince Harry has continued to return to the UK for key occasions, including Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and her state funeral later that year. Meghan has joined him on select visits but has largely remained in California with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
In 2023 and 2024, reports surfaced of tentative efforts to ease tensions between Harry and his family, particularly with King Charles III. While Buckingham Palace has not confirmed details, several reputable outlets including the BBC and The Guardian reported that private meetings have taken place to improve relations.
Housing and Symbolism in the Royal Family
The discussion surrounding Nottingham Cottage is part of a broader conversation about how royal housing reflects status and duty within the monarchy. Larger apartments within Kensington Palace and other royal residences are traditionally reserved for working royals with greater public responsibilities.
For Harry and Meghan, the move from Nottingham Cottage to Frogmore, and later to California, reflected a transition not only in geography but also in their roles within the monarchy and public life.
Conclusion
The story of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s time at Nottingham Cottage is less about a physical home and more about the symbolism of place within the Royal Family. From their early days in a historic, modest residence at Kensington Palace to their current life in California, their housing journey mirrors their evolving roles and priorities.
Far from being a source of scandal, Nottingham Cottage remains an important part of the couple’s personal history — the site of their first years as newlyweds and their earliest steps toward independence.
As the Royal Family continues to balance tradition with modern realities, stories like these highlight how even seemingly small details — such as the size of a residence — can come to symbolize larger shifts within the monarchy.
Verified Sources for Accuracy
- BBC News – Harry and Meghan move from Nottingham Cottage to Frogmore
- Royal.uk – Official announcements from Buckingham Palace
- Historic Royal Palaces – Kensington Palace history
- Penguin Random House – Prince Harry’s memoir Spare
- Archewell Foundation – Official site
- YouGov – Public opinion polling on the Royal Family
