There’s always a lot of interest in royal real estate, even when that real estate is just a long-term rental property. I remember when we finally got to see the “cottage” which the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge rented in Wales when he was in the RAF, and many of us were stunned to see how large the house was, and how it seemed to be a lovely, idyllic country estate. This has the same vibe – back when Prince Harry and Meghan were dating and first engaged, they began to do a long-term rental on a Cotswold “cottage.” It was said to be their little country bolthole, where they could get away from the city and just decompress before and after the wedding. Well, now we’re getting our first look at the property:
Royal excl: first picture of the Duke & Duchess of Sussex’s Cotswold pad. It’s a gorgeous £2.5million Grade II listed farmhouse and barn conversion. pic.twitter.com/IL11GMdcVC
— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) January 9, 2019
Maybe this is a just a weird angle on the back of the house, but this place really does look small as far royal homes go? This might be a legit cottage! As you can see, the place costs £2.5million (remember, they’re just renting it for two years), and it’s in a popular area for country homes among celebrities. According to the Sun and the Daily Mail, it’s a fully converted barn/farmhouse dating back to the 18th century. I’m assuming that the main house is the “converted barn” and then the stuff on the side was added later. That’s probably a modern kitchen, maybe an informal sitting area and dining room. That’s what I would have done with the property if I owned it. The place only has four bedrooms, which I can believe.
A friend told the Sun: “It’s a fabulous place with stunning views and extraordinarily private. It’s set in a small bowl of beautiful countryside so is not overlooked in any way. Meghan adores the area. She and Harry love walking the dogs there, and they can entertain their friends in complete solitude.” I’m sure she does enjoy it. And I fully expect that by the time the rental is done (spring 2020), the Queen will have given Meghan and Harry some royal property to use as their permanent country estate.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid and WENN.
Location, location, location. It’s still relatively big though. But then, I’m a city dweller in a semi detached terraced house.
I’m surprised there aren’t security concerns in publishing pictures of their home. Wasn’t that part of why we didn’t see pictures of Will and Kate’s rented place in Anglesey?
It’s definitely a security concern. That’s why Royals tend to stick to Crown estate properties or purchase large estates. The photos of this place were already out there since it’s a commercially owned rental. There really wasn’t anything that could be done about it.
I love Cotswold! I would live in a shoebox if I could live there, so beautiful and serene. I think they chose well and must be enjoying it.
It really is! So charming! If I could live in the UK, I’d pick the Cotswolds in a nanosecond!
HaHa, everything in The Cotswolds is described as a ‘cottage’, even my boss’ 720-acre shooting estate. This is slap-bang in the middle of Celebsville so I’m sure they will enjoy many a cosy night at the Soho Farmhouse!!
I’m confused. Aren’t they moving to Windsor? Or are the renovations going to take more than 2 years to complete?
Is Windsor considered the countryside? If yes, why would TQ feel the need to give them a Royal property for their countryside residence? I’d understand if they lived in London.
Papers say they are moving to Frogmore, which will cost millions in renovations and $5 million in security, the Cotswalds went over budget for security and is up to 1.7 million, and they are keeping two country homes.
It’s good to live off of the taxpayers!!! But the taxpayers don’t seem too happy. Bad PR, for sure. They should live in Kensington and pick one country place. Crazy, this plan.
What’s the heating situation like? From personal experience, Cotswold vacation rentals can let in a bit of a chill.
I feel like I’ve seen that place (or one very similar) on Escape to the Country – which is my absolute fave show. I saw a barn conversion on one of the shows that took place in/near the Malverns and it was really stunning. Barn conversions make for big, wide, open spaces which would probably appeal to a younger crowd since they feel very loft-ish.
I will bet that they will continue to rent this after they move to Frogmore Cottage.
If you notice the house with the window front in the back: it is build at the lowering end of a slight hill which means all the water will run towards that house. Also its roof isn’t horizontal and I don’t like the look of it.