Prince Harry’s decision to declare the United States as his official residence on the same day Buckingham Palace confirmed his eviction from Frogmore Cottage is seen as a symbolic message to the British royal family. This move underscores the ongoing tension and significant changes in his life since stepping down as a working royal and relocating to California in 2020.
Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have been vocal critics of the monarchy since their departure, expressing their grievances through an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, a Netflix docuseries, and Harry’s memoir, “Spare.” Despite their outspoken stance, the royal family has largely remained silent on the matter. However, King Charles III’s decision to evict the couple from Frogmore Cottage appears to have struck a deep chord with Harry.
According to royal commentator Esther Krakue, speaking on Sky News Australia’s “Royal Report,” Harry’s choice to date his U.S. residency from June 29, 2023—the same day they vacated Frogmore Cottage—was intentional and symbolic. “It’s very interesting that Prince Harry chose to date his official U.S. residency on the day he was kicked out of Frogmore Cottage,” Krakue noted. “I think he was trying to send a message, and it was very symbolic. The biggest message here is that it represents everything that could have been and is not and has been lost”, Reported by Express.
Harry’s move to the U.S. and his new life in California signify a stark departure from his royal duties and previous lifestyle. In a February interview on “Good Morning America,” Harry expressed his contentment with his new life, saying, “It’s amazing. I love every single day.” However, when asked if he felt American, he responded with uncertainty, “Do I feel American? Um, no. I don’t know how I feel.” While he has considered U.S. citizenship, he emphasized it was not a high priority at the time.
The Duke of Sussex has returned to the U.K. on several occasions since his move, most recently in May to celebrate 10 years of the Invictus Games. Notably, he did not reunite with his family during this visit, including his father, King Charles III, who was reportedly busy. The last private meeting between Harry and his father occurred in February, following news of the King’s cancer diagnosis. This brief encounter at Clarence House lasted only 45 minutes.
The eviction from Frogmore Cottage marks a significant chapter in the ongoing rift between Harry and the royal family. The couple had initially stayed in the Windsor residence with their son, Prince Archie, before stepping down from royal duties. Gifted by the late Queen Elizabeth II on their wedding day, the property had undergone extensive renovations, which sparked controversy over the use of public funds, leading Harry and Meghan to reimburse the expenditure fully.
King Charles’s decision to evict Harry and Meghan from their U.K. home left them without a base in the country. The couple now resides in a £12 million mansion in Montecito, California, with their two children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, born in 2021.
Harry’s official declaration of U.S. residency and the timing of this announcement reflect his new chapter away from royal life. Esther Krakue’s analysis suggests that this act symbolizes not only the physical distance but also the emotional and symbolic separation from his former life as a senior royal. The relocation and the symbolic gestures associated with it highlight the broader narrative of change, loss, and new beginnings for Prince Harry and his family.