The eviction of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from Frogmore Cottage in June 2023 ignited a wave of public discussion about the dynamics within the British royal family. According to royal commentator Tom Quinn, Harry was deeply upset and felt the move was a vindictive act by his father, King Charles III. The eviction came shortly after the release of Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” in January 2023, leading to speculation that the two events were connected.
Quinn stated that Harry saw his eviction as a “cruel rejection,” drawing parallels to his father’s tumultuous relationship with his mother, the late Princess Diana. He suggested that Harry’s emotional reaction to the eviction was tied to unresolved feelings from his parents’ high-profile divorce. Furthermore, Quinn emphasized that Harry’s decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 had direct consequences, such as losing his rights to a royal residence like Frogmore Cottage.
The reaction from Harry’s camp indicates that the couple was distressed by the eviction, considering it a harsh move by King Charles. Royal author Charlotte Griffith commented on this, suggesting that Harry’s fury may stem from his personal feelings of rejection and betrayal, particularly after the critical portrayal of Queen Consort Camilla in “Spare.” Griffith noted that Harry’s choice to announce his US residency on the exact day he was asked to leave Frogmore Cottage seemed like a deliberate move to provoke his father.
On the other hand, some observers found Harry’s reaction disproportionate, portraying him as a “spoiled brat” who expected special treatment despite his decision to renounce royal duties. The public backlash against Harry’s response highlighted a perceived entitlement that many believed was inconsistent with his choice to leave the royal family and start a new life in the United States.
Regardless, Harry and Meghan’s departure from Frogmore Cottage symbolizes a larger shift within the British monarchy, illustrating the personal and emotional ramifications of family rifts within a highly publicized institution. As Harry and Meghan settle into their life in California, their relationship with the royal family and King Charles III continues to be a point of contention and ongoing scrutiny.
